The importance of success by Bearing Fruit

(This post is part of the April 2015 Synchroblog “Bearing Fruit”)
 

These two words #bearing #fruit remind me of many biblical references to things like reproduction, the importance of being faithful and obedient, good use of opportunities available to us, etc. Mention is made in the Holy Bible of the different consequences of not being faithful, obedient or doing what we ought to do.

There are different life styles that can be associated with the words "bearing fruit". For the purpose of this write-up, I will focus on "bearing fruit" as it relates to people making efforts to succeed. In this light, I would refer to people as "bearing fruit" when they actively plan and make effective use of opportunities available to them to succeed in life, be it in their private or public businesses, at work, in school, etc. Failure to be proactive, that is to bear fruit,  normally leads to circumstances that people might regret later in life.

I was inspired to write on this topic after reading the parable of the 'bags of gold' Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 25: 14 - 28 (Holy Bible reference "New International Version" - NIV).

"14“ Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, a each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

21“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28 “ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags."

After reading this passage, I thought of many people out there who, either out of laziness, oversight or nonchalance have failed to achieve higher heights just because they failed to make use of opportunities available to them at some points in their lives.

One remarkable thing to know is that just as the servants in the Holy Bible were given different numbers of bags of gold but given equal opportunities, God created all human beings with equal opportunities giving unto us gifts and wealth according to His will and plans concerning us. He has perfect and unique plans for each and every one of us. One person's destiny surely differs from another person's; people do not usually have the same things in life. That is why it is very important for us not to compare ourselves with others. We have to know that we are unique and special before God and focus on our lives and opportunities available to us.

Referring to the parable above, the first and second servants made efforts and succeeded (they bore fruits). The third servant who was given 1 bag of gold did not make any effort. He did not make any gains (bear fruit) with the bag of gold given to him. His reason for not making an effort showed that he was angry and jealous of his master's wealth, probably comparing himself with his master. He clearly refused to bear fruit! His master was angry with him, took the bag of gold from him and gave it to the first servant who made efforts.

Relating this story to real life, there are people who think that life is not fair on them. They compare themselves with those who they suppose are better than them. Therefore, they feel reluctant to go out and pursue their careers / businesses in their own little ways. They forget that everybody has his or her own good luck and challenges in life.

What might be the long-term consequences of missing an opportunity in life?

• Our Creator expects us to succeed (bear fruit) with what we have. He wants us to bear fruit and be successful in life. He does not want people to sit on any opportunity or be very lazy and unable to know when to move on. Just like the master in the reference parable, God is not happy with people who remain dormant and fail to make efforts to succeed (bear fruit).
• Opportunity they say "comes but once" so if anyone fails to take any little opportunity available to him or her at any time, that person will live to regret it. The person will not step up the ladder of success when he or she is supposed to.

How are you handling your bag(s) of gold? Are you bearing fruit?

God wants you to succeed and you will succeed only when you are determined to bear fruit!

==================

Other participants are:

·  Jeremy Myers – Good Fruits Are Not The Good Works We Perform

·  Mark Votava – The Fruit of Non Violent Communication

·  Carol Kuniholm – Fruit That Will Last

·  Glenn Hager – Juicy Fruit

·  Done With Religion – Can We Produce The Fruit of the Spirit?

·  Pastor FedEx – How Do We Bear Fruit?

·  K.W. Leslie – New Fruit!

·  Leah Sophia – Stewardship Trilogy