Do Not Be Unfruitful

Daily Devotional – Sunday, October 29, 2023
that they may not be unfruitful.
Titus 3:14 (NKJV)

Jesus, the human being, the Son of man, was famished. Yes, the Lord experienced hunger and was in dire need of food. From a distance, He saw a blooming fig tree. His hopes went up. At least he would assuage his hunger pangs.

Be Productive

Unfortunately, the healthy, green leaves were just a façade. There was no single fruit on the tree. Christ cursed the tree. Not long after, it withered. He who had created the fig tree to be fruitful (Genesis 1:11) was disappointed that it was now barren.

At a spiritual level, Jesus was sending a message to his followers. He was echoing the first words of the Creator to human beings. After blessing our first parents, God commanded them to “Be fruitful …” (Genesis 1:28).

Do Not Be Fruitless

As long as plants, animals, and human beings enjoy rain, sunshine, air, good health, and life, God expects them to bear fruit and become a blessing to the rest of His creation. God is disappointed when we become mere consumers and not producers.

The apostle Paul introduces another insight into the concept of spiritual fruitfulness when he urges Titus, “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” (Titus 3:14).

Do Not Be Unfruitful

Paul wants the young pastor, Titus, to cultivate a culture of benevolence and material support for gospel work among the Christians in the church at Crete. Failure to do so will render the Cretans fruitless, a contravention of God’s command on the sixth day of creation.

An unfruitful Christian does not grow in faith and the knowledge of God every day. She neither participates in evangelism nor supports those who do. Faith is not evident in her life through godly behaviour and acts of kindness. Do not be unfruitful. Allow God to work in and through you to bless others and His work.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, dwell in me and make me fruitful in character and benevolence.