Tend Your Fig Tree

Proverbs 27:18 — Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.

Fig trees need to be tended for good fruit to grow. They need to be pruned, pollinated, watered, and given adequate sunlight. Fig trees also need time to grow. Most fig trees require at least three years before they produce any fruit, and the first fruit harvest is not of the best quality. Usually, the good fruit comes in the fourth or fifth year. Some fig trees take longer to produce fruit than others. There are some lessons to be learned from this proverb.

First, growth and fruitfulness usually take time. Our spiritual growth may start off quickly. When we become believers, major changes often take place in our lives right away. We start reading the Bible, praying, going to church, and telling people about Jesus. 

But it takes time to put down deep roots and strengthen our relationship with Jesus. We may even think that we are not growing at all. Still, we need to tend to ourselves, like the farmer tends to his fig trees, month after month, year after year. In time, the fruit will come, and we will be blessed to partake of what the Lord has done in our lives.

Second, when we diligently serve our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, He will honor us for our service. Just as Joseph was elevated by his master Potiphar for his faithful service, Jesus will honor those of His children who are good stewards. God says, “I will honor those who honor Me” (1 Samuel 2:30). Again, by faithfully investing our time and resources into knowing Jesus and helping others to know Jesus, we honor Him. We should hope to one day hear Jesus say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Faithfulness over time is rewarded by the Lord. Tend to the things that honor the Lord and lead to spiritual growth today. 

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