Biblical

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Fruit is a common biblical image for good works & faithfulness that flow from God's grace. In the parable of the sower, Jesus tells us that indifferent responses to the word of the kingdom are unfruitful. On the other hand, fruit brought forth from a responsive heart abounds. Our response to the Word depends on the attitude of our hearts. Our attitude can be afflicted by various things that can hinder & distort our reception and understanding. Jesus sketches four different responses to the Gospel; three are unfruitful, but the good soil is receptive and produces a great harvest. We must determine the "soil" of our own hearts and see if we are truly fertile to bring forth good fruit. Are we listening with a good and honest heart? Or is the message getting distorted by our bias, our cynicism, our ignorance, our distractions, our attachments...?



The Kingdom's value is inestimable, and surrendering earthly attachments is required to obtain it. Sometimes following Christ means giving up our possessions (Mt. 19:21), but attachments are not always physical "stuff." Sometimes we're asked to give up relationships (Mt. 19:29) and sometimes status (Phil 3:8). Paul renounced the resume he had built up in Judaism, counting the benefits of being a Pharisee as mere trash compared to the blessings of Jesus.






By "eat, drink and be merry" the rich man indulged in earthly pleasures and comforts, after he had hoarded his resources and made them the basis of his life's security. God rebuked him ("Fool!") for having no concern for Him or His laws. Death exposes the man's folly by stripping him of all that he owns.




 












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