“He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:6-9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

http://bible.com/114/luk.13.6-9.nkjv

Paraphrase:

Jesus also spoke using this parable: “ there was certain man who had a fig tree planted on his vineyard. One day he came upon it and expected to see fruit but wasn’t able to find anything. So he spoke to the keeper of the vineyard and said: ‘it’s been three years now that I’ve been coming back to this fig tree and finding nothing on it. Cut it down. I don’t even know why it’s still here. It’s not producing fruit.

The keeper of the vineyard replied, “sir, let me have one more year with this tree. I’ll pay extra attention and care, making sure the irrigation and fertilizer is the very best. If it produces fruit after that, then great! But if not, then it can be cut down.”

Principle:

Trees are expected to bear fruit. Are lives are like trees; we should bear fruit.

We should not expect some things to happen without special attention or care. Relationships, especially with God will not bear the fruit that is possible without the right attention.

A tree that isn’t bearing fruit will be cut down.

Ponder:

Is there an area of my life that isn’t bearing fruit?

What am I giving time and attention to that isn’t bearing good fruit?

What needs to be cut down in my life?

What needs to be nurtured and cared for to bear the best fruit?

Practice:

Give the best attention and time to my relationship with God.

Invest in the fruit that will last.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help me to see the areas of my life that are unfruitful. Give me the courage to cut down everything that isn’t and the wisdom to invest in everything that is good and right in your sight.