Don't Be Useless!

 Happy Sunday!

"He says to the vineyard keeper, “Look at this tree. For three years, I’ve come hoping to find some fresh figs, but what do I find? Nothing. So just go ahead and cut it down. Why waste the space with a FRUITLESS tree?”(Luke 13:7 Voice).

The very first command God gave to mankind is found in Genesis, not in Exodus with the Ten Commandments!  Genesis 1:22 says, "And God blessed them, saying, Be Fruitful, and Multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth."(KJV).  Being fruitful or productive is important to God. Multiplication is important to God.  So many of the parables Jesus used to teach the people revolve around productivity, performance, and increase.  For example, The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30.  An employer gave three amounts to his employees based on their ability.  Two of them increased the amounts and when the employer returned they had multiplied what they were given and were commended!  The third refused to be fruitful, and hid what he was given. 

"You’re a Wicked, Lazy servant!’ his master told him. ‘You say you knew that I reap where I never sowed and collect where I never laid out? Then you ought to have put my money in the Bank, and when I came out I should at any rate have received what belongs to me with interest. Take his thousand pounds away from him and give it to the man who now has the ten thousand!’ (For the man who has something will have more given to him and will have plenty. But as for the man who has nothing, even his ‘nothing’ will be taken away.) ‘And throw this Useless servant into the darkness outside, where he can weep and wail over his Stupidity.’(Matthew 25:26-30 Phillips).

Strong words were used in the rebuke of this man!  Words we never want associated with us.  How can we be Fruitful?  Great Question!  I'm so glad you asked!  2 Peter 3:18 says, "But grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be all glory and splendid honor, both now and forevermore. Good-bye."(Living Bible).  Another translation of this scripture says, "But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)!"(Amplified).

Love and prayers, Cynthia