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Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account Phl4:17 This notion of St. Paul of looking for fruit, love, peace, joy, and faith so that he might bless, is born out in scripture. How often does Jesus heal after he sees the fruit of faith? The centurion's servant, two blind men calling out to Jesus, the raising of Jairus's daughter. Imagine the joy of Zacchaeus climbing a tree to catch a glimpse of the Lord or the joy of Mary and Martha when Jesus comes to raise Lazarus even though their understanding of Jesus wasn't yet perfect. Or think of the love the woman who washes Jesus feet with her tears and wipes them with her hair had on Jesus. Or the love and faith of the disciples to abandon all to follow him? People who have the fruit are people that are blessed, who will receive a reward. People who hunger and thirst after righteousness get blessed. People who are pure in heart get blessed. People who are meek get blessed. Peacemakers get blessed. This is the law of reciprocity. St. Paul was looking for fruit. Jesus was looking for fruit. Are you a person bearing fruit? Good fruit? Love, peace, joy, faith, meekness, kindness, and self control. Unless your tree bears good fruit, you are not in a good condition to receive a blessing from God or from one of his ministers. If your fruit is anger, bitterness, resentment, fear, or gloom, you might begin by repenting and ask God to deliver you from those negative weights. On the other hand, if you have faith, joy, peace, or love you should expect a blessing, in faith, notwithstanding the grace of the gift. Being a tree bearing good fruit is a consequence of a good spiritual life, a life spent in prayer, silence, scripture, and good works. If you are so busy that you are anxious, short tempered, easily angered, self motivated and self consumed you might consider changing your life style. Unless God sees good fruit, you may never be blessed, and if you are not blessed, how do you expect to enter the kingdom? Reciprocity is a spiritual law like sowing and reaping. Examine where you are and make some appropriate adjustments. If you do, salvation is waiting at the door. Healing is waiting at the door. Prosperity is waiting at the door. Be people of faith. Be people of joy. Be people of love and see what God will do. He is looking at your fruit! amen |