Giving Tree
In the book of Revelation, the apostle John describes the Tree of Life, planted beside the river of living water which flows from the Throne of God:
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal. It was flowing from the throne of God and the lamb. Between the city street and the river, the tree of life was visible from each side. It produced twelve kinds of fruit, each month having its own fruit. The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.Revelation 22:1-2
I had never quite thought of it this way before, but something my pastor said on Sunday caused me to see this as a model for the life of a believer. As we abide in Him (John 15:1-8) and drink deeply of the water of life that flows from the Throne of God, we will bear fruit. Compare the passage above to Psalm 1, verses 1-3:
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.Psalm 1:1-3
If the Tree of Life bears a different kind of fruit each month, how might we do the same? I thought it would be nice to choose a special gift (or ministry, or service) each month, so that our lives can bear fruit in like manner, reflecting the love of Jesus to others.
These links provide many creative ways to give, including food for the hungry, clean drinking water, farm animals, school supplies for children, tools for missionaries, radio and film ministry, and much more:
Jesus instructs us to carry on His work on this earth until He returns. (Luke 19:13) What fruit would you like to bear this month?
but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened.