Keeping the Fig Tree
Today’s Verse:
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured. ~Proverbs 27:18
This morning, we see the keeping of a fig tree as a principle of success. A landowner would hire servants to help make good use of the land for agricultural purposes. The servant would prepare the soil, plant the seeds for fig trees, and nurture them. Every day, the fig seeds would be watered. Fertilizer would be placed on the soil to give it health and nutrients. Over time, the seed would grow roots, and a fig tree would grow. The servant watches as figs begin to grow on it but does not take any figs off of the tree until they are ready. The day comes when the figs are ready to be picked, and this servant picks a large quantity and brings them before his master. The master is so impressed with the delicious figs that he entrusts the servant with more fig seeds for more trees. Over time, this servant oversees a large amount of trees, and he is known as his master’s best servant on his payroll. This simple metaphor teaches us how to succeed in any kind of job and responsibility.
We see the attitude of the servant.
A successful servant has a positive, can-do attitude. He is possessed with a strong work ethic. He attends every meeting with a notepad and pen and takes diligent notes. He approaches every assignment with a "take charge" attitude. He is careful to keep his master informed of every step of the project. He listens well, executes, and gets his job done. He does not exasperate his master by asking the wrong questions or throwing the job back onto him. He plans his work and works his plan. His attitude is, “We will get this done!” Setbacks are approached with determination. He never puts things off and tries to finish ahead of schedule. He inspires the people around him to do more. He has the best attitude of all his master’s servants.
We see the activeness of the servant.
He is proactive. He anticipates his master’s request and is ready to get it done. He expects to be asked to do more. He is ready to take on new projects. He does not allow other things to distract him. He catches his master’s heart at the front end of a project. He is diligent and hardworking. He does not work for the sake of work. He works for the purpose of getting things done. He understands the difference between being a manager and being a leader. Managers do things right; leaders do the right things. He works to increase the bottom line for his master. He is never accused of being slothful or wasteful.
We see the adeptness of the servant.
He is a competent servant. He knows what he is doing and does it well. He looks ahead and increases his learning. He keeps himself flexible to learn what others will not learn. He sees the trends and becomes knowledgeable in areas that will help his master. He is a reader. He is a student of what is happening. He does not allow himself to be accused of being ignorant or incompetent. He is expertly skilled.
We see the acknowledgement of the servant.
This servant is honored. He is honored not just once, but he is honored all the time. His master acknowledges him publicly as a model example. His master acknowledges him financially with increases. His master acknowledges him as a leader over other servants. He is the best servant who keeps the fig tree for his master.
Learn from this simple lesson the principles of success. Don’t stay at status quo. Be the best employee on the payroll. Be someone who makes a difference.
Have a diligent God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Leviticus 5-7