Proverbs 27:18 - He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit

He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

Proverbs 27:18

Commentary

In this comparison, we see a picture of competence and loyalty. The master is like the fig tree, providing for the needs of his servant. But if the tree is not tended, no one benefits. If the master is not looked after, he won't have the resources to honor his servant. Today, we could remove the master/slave titles and put in employer/employee, or entrepreneur/client. To tend to our source of provision is to take care of ourselves.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Deuteronomy 25:4 - Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading

Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.

You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.

Deuteronomy 25:4

Commentary

Muzzling the ox would have kept the ox from eating from the grain while it worked. This command from the laws of Moses reminds us that it is not unreasonable to provide for the needs of an animal that is producing profit for us. Remember that this was written after God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt; where they were treated as little more than animals. To allow the ox to eat the grain that it's treading tells us that He cares that we benefit from the results of our work.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC