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“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” – Luke 6:37-38

What does the Bible say about Karma?

Although Karma is not a term actually used in the Bible, it is an idea from Hinduism and Buddhism that holds similarities to biblical themes. Karma is defined as the sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences. This relates to the judgment of God in scripture and the tenant of Christianity that we ultimately reap what we have sown.

According to author Shawn Boonstra of VoiceofPropechy.com:

But karma is impersonal—a cosmic principle without a personal face. It's like gravity; it works because it's a law of the cosmos.  There are karma-like concepts in the Bible, to be sure. Jesus once said, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things." (Matthew 12:35). Good intentions and pure thoughts lead to good actions—and vice-versa.  It's karma-like, but it's not karma.  

Or is it?

The Bible does talk a lot about reaping and sowing. Reaping is the result of what we’ve sown. Reaping can be a good thing or a bad thing.

1. Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

2. James 3:18 And a harvest of righteousness is grown from the seed of peace planted by peacemakers.

3. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

4. Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

5. Job 4:8 As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.

6. Proverbs 11:27 Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.

7. Psalm 7:16 The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads.

8. Matthew 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

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What’s the Difference between Karma and Reaping and Sowing?

The Bible does not teach karma. It teaches grace. Grace is where you get what you don't deserve. Grace is unmerited favor. It is love and mercy bestowed upon us by God because He desires us to have it. As you can see, very different to karma. More like polar opposites.

According to the Ancient History Encyclopedia, karma is the belief that good and bad experiences in this life are the sum result of deeds done in both the current, and previous, lives. Karma is supposed to help us make sense of why we may be going through certain situations. It also gives us rationalization for the cycles of birth and death.

On a surface level perspective, karma bridges the gap between good actions (or intentions) and good results as well as bad actions (or intentions) and bad results. Essentially, what a person reaps in this life can be a consequence of what they sowed in their previous lives. What a person sows now, they will reap in a future life. And karma can accumulate, giving you a chance to balance out positive or negative consequences. ¹

The principle of sowing and reaping is a biblical concept found all throughout the Word of God.

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up,” Galatians 6:7-9.

Believers are to stand on the Word of God as the highest authority, and God wants us to live in accordance with what is written in it. The Word of God is our spiritual sword. It is sharp enough to divide truth from non-truth, but only when we don't dilute it.

When we mix the biblical concept of sowing and reaping with karmic beliefs, we run the risk of diluting God’s Word. And we become more lenient and accepting of the things of this world. Whether we mean to do so or not, we can actually find ourselves compromising the Word of God in our lives. This is why it's important to test all things against scripture if this is your belief. ²

There are staunch defenders on both sides of the argument. Each will say the other is using tenets to justify what is put forth through doctrine. It all requires a good deal of discernment.

Resources:

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-karma/

https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/articles/blog/does-bible-teach-karma

https://biblereasons.com/karma/

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-s-the-difference-between-grace-and-karma.html

1, 2 https://www.ibelieve.com/faith/what-is-the-difference-between-karma-and-reaping-what-you-sow.html