The Pear Tree is Faithful

            There was a pear tree in my grand-parents’ yard that was usually good for some fruit every year.  Those pears made some good preserves and they were excellent just to eat plain.  We would climb the tree and jump on the branches to shake those pears out (really trying to hit the other brothers) and could fill a dozen five-gallon buckets.  Looking back, we never expected anything from that tree other than pears.  We never wished it to grow apples the next season, or laid a special fertilizer to make it grow peaches because we knew it was a pear tree and would only produce that fruit.  The pear tree was faithful.

            Paul was very clear concerning the Christian lifestyle and how we are to treat each other, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:7–8, ESV).  When you treat others poorly, you ought not to expect anything other than poor treatment in return.  When you plant the seed of bitterness, the tree that grows will produce bitterness every season just as the pear tree produces the same fruit. 

            Solomon also has some words of wisdom concerning the treatment of others, “Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace” (Proverbs 3:31–35).  In other words, if you plant evil, you will be reaped as an abomination to God.  If you plant righteousness though, you will be reaped in God’s favor and honor.  You cannot live a frivolous life and expect God to call you a child of His on the Judgment Day.  Jesus plainly said, “You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14).  Are you His friend?  Are you planting today what you hope to reap tomorrow?  The pear tree was and is still faithful.