“Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; so, he who waits on his master will be honored” (Proverbs 27:18).
In highly favorable conditions, a fig tree can begin producing harvestable figs within one to two years, especially if you started it from a cutting or a young sapling. (If you start from seeds, the wait is typically between three to five years.)
Regardless of how you begin your tree, the early weeks and months are labor intensive. Weekly watering and mulching to establish a strong root system, monthly fertilization during the growing season, and proper pruning in late winter are essential to a fruitful outcome. If God supplies you with warm weather and your trees get lots of sunshine, your diligence and patience will be rewarded sooner rather than later.
Just as diligence and patience are essential to the fig grower, they are necessary when serving a master. Every wise master appreciates loyalty and thoughtful service.
As servants of our Master in heaven (Col. 4:1), let us not grow weary in serving Him. Diligence and patience are essential to hearing Him say some day, “Well done, good and faithful servants” (Mat. 25:21). What an honor He will bestow when He makes each of His servants a ruler over many things because each had been faithful over a few things (Mat. 25:21).
