Proverbs 27:18 Commentary and Bible Study

The comparison is simple, but to reflect on it does us much good. A man would expend considerable effort in nurturing a fig tree, for in time past it would often have been his prize tree given pride of place and growing beside his house. It was likely to be the only tree of its kind which he possessed, while his orchard was full of apple trees, so the one fig tree received special attention. He spent much time clearing the ground around it, pruning it, tending its shape, making sure that it pollinated, killing off any diseases that attacked it, and watering it by hand if necessary until its fruit was ripe for the eating. All this labour is lavished upon it in hope of the crop of figs which it will return. The man cannot make figs but he can make use of the tree’s created power to supply his table. This is the reward of his labour.But there is a more important reward from service to a master, because the master’s service provides an income for him and his family from which they can live. This service deserves the same careful attention to detail. He must study what pleases his master; he must be careful to obey the spirit of the command and not just the letter; he must serve diligently and not with eye-service; he must study his master’s tastes because he wants his service to be acceptable. If he does all these things he will gain a reward from his service. He will be promoted to a position of greater responsibility, and be entrusted with more of his masters affairs, for the master looks to see whether the servant is faithful in a little before he trusts him to be faithful in much.