Leviticus 25:3 Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof; 4 But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the Lord: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.
This passage of scripture teaches us of the essential pruning processes that should take place every year in the natural world of growing and grown trees. This process is necessary for continued growth and production of fruit, for it is a well documented fact that those trees that are pruned each year, are the most productive of fruit, because their energies are directed more towards fruit bearing, rather than to the production and sustenance of many branches which are void of any fruit. A friend of ours once came to visit, and he, being an experienced farmer, was asked about an avocado tree in our backyard that had been growing for a number of years, but which had not produced any fruit.
He then showed me what was the problem, and proceeded to cut off many branches of the tree, much to my dismay, for I thought to myself that he was doing more harm than good, by cutting of so many leafy branches. But to our pleasant surprise, the tree started to produce an abundance of fruit every year, in so much that several hundred are to be found upon its branches, the reason being that the nonproductive limbs are now gone, so that the energy of the tree could be squarely focused on the production of quality fruit.
Whatever takes place in the natural world, is often duplicated in the spiritual realm, for there are many of us who may be in dire need of pruning, because of the fact that over the years many leafy branches in our characters may have sprung up, and consequently forestalled the production of real fruit. One such "Leafy branch" is the subtle tendency of many to become materialistic as time goes by, with issues such as our retirement and monetary investments gradually taking center stage as the golden years creep up on us. Concern for our later years in life are sometimes allowed to consume our vital energies, and because of this we are driven to work long, hard, graveyard shifts, in order to procure the funds we deem necessary to carry us through to the grave.
Although it is important for us to make plans for the rainy day, yet it is not necessary for us to expend all of our better energies in the pursuit of pecuniary gain, for there are much more important things in life, than retiring in ease and comfort. Christ alluded to this gradual change of focus which affects many Christians, which usually takes place over a number of years, and which, before we realize what has taken place, have become stagnant or even retrogressive in spiritual growth, because the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches have been allowed to usurp the place that God, and service to our fellow men should occupy. Whenever we find ourselves only seeking after God and His righteousness in our spare time, then we may know for certain that we are in dire need of pruning, for another god has indeed moved in, displacing Christ on the throne of the heart. The pursuit of money and material things has the tendency to do this, hence the reason why we are cautioned about it by Christ Himself. Let's read:
Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
In lieu of this oft repeated scenario, it is therefore necessary that we take proactive steps in facilitating the production of real fruit, meaning that the work of character building should go on without any interruption in our hearts. We cannot force ourselves to produce any fruit, but what we can do is to avail ourselves of the necessary elements that have been provided for us to grow and to be productive in Christ. The trees of the earth avail themselves of the water and sunshine that has been provided by God in abundance, and similarly, we too can avail also ourselves of the grace, The Holy Spirit, and the word of God that have all been provided abundantly by the very same God who supplies the needs of the trees in the natural world.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which warns us as Christians living on the very brink of eternity, not to sink our roots to deeply in this earth, for where our treasure is, there will our hearts be also. Let's read:
Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!