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The Farmer And The Fruit Tree
Said the farmer to the fruit tree: “Tree, I see all your nice green foliage and your sturdy trunk and root system, but where is your fruit?”
“You will notice, farmer, I am more firmly anchored than any tree in the orchard, and I have the most beautiful leaves to be seen anywhere. Further, no broken, sagging limbs and no scuff marks have I from workmen’s shoes on my limbs.”
“These might be impressive, but I planted you for the purpose of bearing fruit, not to look pretty and preserve yourself. Suppose all my trees had your attitude! Why have you not borne fruit?”
“I tried bearing fruit a few years ago. Some of the beautiful fruit I worked so hard to develop fell to the ground and was lost. The odor was terrible! Also my limbs would bend and break in the effort, and my whole system was strained. The painful treatment, as the workmen climbed my tender limbs and snapped my branches with their rapid strokes, was simply too much. To cap off the whole problem with fruit bearing, I produced the most fruit of any tree in the orchard, and I didn’t get any glory. Now, under these circumstances, farmer, what do you expect?”
“I expect, tree, you will make beautiful logs for my fireplace!”
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their suits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in that name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?” And then I will profess unto them, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Matthew 7.19-23
John 15.1-8
