Fruit is fruit, right? If I were to go into a market and select 3 apples of the same kind, would I be equally satisfied with them all? Frankly, no. Just because one fruit looks similar to another doesn't make it the same quality.
Matthew 7:17+ talks about fruit in Kingdom living. A good tree produces good fruit and a bad tree produces bad fruit. And even if the trees do look similar , the deciding factor of good and basis the source of the nutrients, the soil and water that it absorbs. The fruit we produce is directly related to who and what we allow to influence us.
The funny thing about fruit that we often forget is it's meant to be consumed. The world tells us we produce fruit to admire it. To marvel at what we have created. Fruit takes many forms. From ministries, events, finances, relationships, jobs... The list goes on, but we don't want to see these things gobbled up by others. The truth is, we are meant to produce fruit for OTHERS. For others to grow from, to utilize in making their own fruit.
There is a fish farm in the southern coastal region of Spain. My nose immediately gets turned up at the thought of a farmed fish. All the ones I've seen or heard of before are gross, manmade pools of thousands of fish tearing at one another for pellets or protein blends of chicken bones, corn, and chemically enhanced vitamins. But this one is significantly different.
The farm is created by a natural canal fed by the currents between the Atlantic and Mediterranean sea. The fish live off of the natural influx of algae that rolls in fresh from the ocean. All of this evidently makes for a delicious meal, but the most amazing thing is how the farmers measure the quality of their fish. In a secluded region over 150 miles from this farm is a flamingo nesting area. Everyday, tons of these flamingos trek the distance just to feast on the fish on this farm. The farmers say that the quality of their fish is revealed in the pinkness of the bellies of these flamingos. The success of these farmer's "fruit" is measured in the success of its consumer.
This is how we should be measuring our fruit! By quality, not the quantity that we produce. By the success of those who partake of it. The passion of the youth in our church. The riaising of worship leaders in our music team. The commitment level of our volunteers who make every service happen.
Quality fruit produces sustainable growth and it I sustainable growth that builds long lasting, influencial churches. It's sustainable growth that builds strong character and effectivness in our lives.
The farm is created by a natural canal fed by the currents between the Atlantic and Mediterranean sea. The fish live off of the natural influx of algae that rolls in fresh from the ocean. All of this evidently makes for a delicious meal, but the most amazing thing is how the farmers measure the quality of their fish. In a secluded region over 150 miles from this farm is a flamingo nesting area. Everyday, tons of these flamingos trek the distance just to feast on the fish on this farm. The farmers say that the quality of their fish is revealed in the pinkness of the bellies of these flamingos. The success of these farmer's "fruit" is measured in the success of its consumer.