June 27th, Proverb 27: Role Reversal

“He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.” – Proverbs 27:18

This proverb highlights an important principle in the Kingdom of God. If we will give ourselves to doing the job we were created to do, God will make it His priority to care for our needs. In the same way that the man who looks after and tends to the fig tree has the right to eat of its fruit, we have access to the provision of God when we give ourselves to doing His will.

“So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:31-33

God’s promise to us is that if we will give ourselves to seek FIRST His Kingdom and righteousness, He will make it His business to provide for all that we need! Then why is it that so many Christians let their ENTIRE lives be consumed with the procurement of their personal needs? And we wonder why we have so little evidence of the Kingdom in our lives! Maybe it’s because instead of seeking the Kingdom, we are seeking our own personal needs? We are doing God’s job (providing for our needs) and asking God to do our job (seeking the Kingdom). The order in the Kingdom is this Seek First the Kingdom & Righteousness, then God will provide! I can’t tell you how many times that I have heard believers say that if they can JUST provide for their needs, THEN they could seek the Kingdom! That’s worldly wisdom, not the Kingdom!

This proverb tells us that if we look after our master, we will be honored. That word for honor there is the Hebrew word “Kabod” and it is the word in the Bible used to describe the Glory of God! We are told that if we will care for our Master we will receive honor. Isn’t that what we are here for? We are called to worship the Lord and serve Him with our lives! As we do, we will be filled with His glory and receive honor and praise from where it counts, HIM! But most Christians neglect their Master (Jesus) and seek their own honor. We’ve got it backwards!

LIFE LESSON:

Seek your own honor and you get dishonor. Seek HIS honor and you’ll be honored. Seek your own provision and you neglect the Kingdom. Seek His Kingdom and HE will GIVE you His provision!