Proverbs 27:18 (NLT)

Proverbs 27:18 (NLT)
18 As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.


Matthew Henry writes of this verse, “This is designed to encourage diligence, faithfulness, and constancy, even in mean employments. Though the calling be laborious and despicable, yet those who keep to it will find there is something to be got by it. 1. Let not a poor gardener, who keeps the fig-tree, be discouraged; though it require constant care and attendance to nurse up fig-trees, and, when they have grown to maturity, to keep them in good order, and gather the figs in their season, yet he shall be paid for his pains: He shall eat the fruit of it. 2. Nay, let not a poor servant think himself incapable of thriving and being preferred; for if he be diligent in waiting on his master, observant of him and obedient to him, if he keep his master (so the word is), if he do all he can for the securing of his person and reputation and take care that his estate be not wasted or damaged, such a one shall be honoured, shall not only get a good word, but be preferred and rewarded. God is a Master who has engaged to put an honour on those that serve him faithfully.”


Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” Similar to Proverbs 27:18 Jesus is saying that those who faithfully attend to him as servants will be honored. They will be able to gleam honor from their work for the Savior. They will protect the name of Jesus and serve Him as Lord. While the work may be difficult at times there is a great reward to be received. Jesus goes on to say in the book of Luke, ““If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”” Therefore we should turn our hearts to Jesus and serve others as He served those around Him. Jesus often displayed the role of the servant so that others could follow Him as an example. Now let us fellowship with Jesus as His servant so that we may be honored for the work we do in Christ’s name.