Whose Fruit Is It? (Day 5)
Whose Fruit Is It?
"A hand lifted is a heart rendered."
Luke 12:48 ESV
Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
Devotional Thought
We've walked through this parable all week, and we've seen three things.
Fruit was the purpose, because God set up the vineyard and gave us everything we need to be fruitful.
Fruit was the problem, because the tenants made it about themselves instead of rendering it back to the One who made the vineyard fruitful in the first place.
And fruit was the proof, because the Kingdom is not given to the most capable people. It is given to the most faithful ones. The ones willing to render what was never theirs to begin with.
So now we come to the question that started this whole thing. Whose fruit is it?
The answer to that question determines everything. It determines whether you live as an owner or a steward. It determines whether you consume or render. It determines whether the Kingdom remains active in your life or gets reassigned to someone who will do with it what you would not.
I believe with my whole heart that God is about to increase us in ways we can't imagine. And that's not a prosperity statement, that's a warning. Because the Word tells us, "To whom much is given, much is required." If we make the fruit that God is preparing to produce about us, we will lose the very thing that caused the fruit to come in the first place. The increase is not for ourselves.
We are stewards in the vineyard, we are tenants. He is coming to collect in the season of fruit and if we do not understand that the Kingdom's presence in our lives is directly connected to our faithfulness to give God what is His, we will lose it.
So let me leave you with something to carry into this next season. When we stop rendering fruit to the Master, we forfeit the very thing that made our lives fruitful. The rendering of fruit is multiplication. When you disciple someone, you are giving the Master His harvest. When you pour into a marriage so it can minister to another couple, you are giving the Master His harvest. When you raise your kids to follow Christ and not just follow rules, you are giving the Master His harvest.
But when you hoard your faith, your growth, your transformation for yourself alone, you are the tenant who says, "This vineyard is mine."
And I just want to ask you today... whose fruit is it?
It's His. So multiply it, render it, and give it back.
I want to give you a visual for us this season.
A hand lifted is a heart rendered.
Lord, everything in my hand is Yours, and everything You've produced in me, I render. That's the posture of a faithful tenant. Not clenched fists holding on, but open hands giving back.
And when the Master comes to collect, may He find a people producing its fruits.
Fruit was the purpose, because God set up the vineyard and gave us everything we need to be fruitful.
Fruit was the problem, because the tenants made it about themselves instead of rendering it back to the One who made the vineyard fruitful in the first place.
And fruit was the proof, because the Kingdom is not given to the most capable people. It is given to the most faithful ones. The ones willing to render what was never theirs to begin with.
So now we come to the question that started this whole thing. Whose fruit is it?
The answer to that question determines everything. It determines whether you live as an owner or a steward. It determines whether you consume or render. It determines whether the Kingdom remains active in your life or gets reassigned to someone who will do with it what you would not.
I believe with my whole heart that God is about to increase us in ways we can't imagine. And that's not a prosperity statement, that's a warning. Because the Word tells us, "To whom much is given, much is required." If we make the fruit that God is preparing to produce about us, we will lose the very thing that caused the fruit to come in the first place. The increase is not for ourselves.
We are stewards in the vineyard, we are tenants. He is coming to collect in the season of fruit and if we do not understand that the Kingdom's presence in our lives is directly connected to our faithfulness to give God what is His, we will lose it.
So let me leave you with something to carry into this next season. When we stop rendering fruit to the Master, we forfeit the very thing that made our lives fruitful. The rendering of fruit is multiplication. When you disciple someone, you are giving the Master His harvest. When you pour into a marriage so it can minister to another couple, you are giving the Master His harvest. When you raise your kids to follow Christ and not just follow rules, you are giving the Master His harvest.
But when you hoard your faith, your growth, your transformation for yourself alone, you are the tenant who says, "This vineyard is mine."
And I just want to ask you today... whose fruit is it?
It's His. So multiply it, render it, and give it back.
I want to give you a visual for us this season.
A hand lifted is a heart rendered.
Lord, everything in my hand is Yours, and everything You've produced in me, I render. That's the posture of a faithful tenant. Not clenched fists holding on, but open hands giving back.
And when the Master comes to collect, may He find a people producing its fruits.
Application Questions
1. As you look over this past week of devotionals, what is the one truth that has challenged you the most about how you've been living in the vineyard?
2. If the Master came today to collect fruit, would He find fruit being rendered or fruit being hoarded?
2. If the Master came today to collect fruit, would He find fruit being rendered or fruit being hoarded?
Today's Challenge
Lift your hand right now, wherever you are, and pray this out loud... "Lord, everything in my hand is Yours, and everything You've produced in me, I render." Then choose one specific commitment for this season. One act of rendering. One relationship to invest in. One way to multiply what God has given. Write it down. Tell someone. And start today.
Today's Prayer
Father, I know the fruit is yours. It has always been Yours. The vineyard, the tools, the ability, the harvest... all of it came from Your hand. I don't want to be found hoarding when You come to collect. I want to be found rendering. I lift my hand to You today as a declaration that everything You've produced in me belongs to You. Give me the courage to multiply it, the faithfulness to steward it, and the humility to remember that I am a tenant and not the owner. Let my life produce the fruit of the Kingdom, and let that fruit be rendered back to You through the people I pour into. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Posted in Fruit
No Comments