Whoso Keepeth 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 metaphor for a powerful principle concerning success. A landowner would hire servants to help make good use of the land for agricultural purposes. A servant would prepare the soil, plant the seeds for a fig tree, 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 turns into roots and, upwards, a fig tree would grow. The servant would be patient and continue to care for it and wait upon it. He would watch as figs begin to grow on it, but would not take any figs off of the tree until they are ready. The day would come when the figs would be ready to be picked, and this servant would pick a large quantity and bring them before his master. The master would be so impressed with the delicious, sweet, and wonderful-tasting figs that he would entrust the servant with more fig seeds for more trees. Over time, this servant would be overseeing a large amount of trees, and he would be known as his master’s best servant. This simple but powerful metaphor speaks to us about the unfailing principles of how to succeed in any kind of job and responsibility.
There is the attitude of the servant.
A successful servant is one who 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 what is happening during every step of the project. He understands that he has the responsibility to listen, execute, and get his job done. He does not exasperate his master by asking the wrong questions or throwing the job back on 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 or 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.
There is 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 at all times to take on new projects. He does not allow other things to interfere with the main task of accomplishing what his master wants done. He catches his master’s heart at the front end of a project and goes to work. 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.
There is 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 and the work. 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.
There is the acknowledgement of the servant.
This servant is honored. He is not honored 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 one servant who keeps the fig tree best for his master.
Learn from this simple lesson the principles of success. Don’t be satisfied with the status quo, and be the best employee in your company. Be someone who makes a difference.
Have a diligent God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Numbers 26-27