Proverbs 12:12 says, “Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.” (ESV)
My first thought upon reading this verse was in regards to the first half. I have known people who have coveted the wealth of others, no matter how it was obtained. If I’m being honest, I have done that, too.
It’s the second half of the verse that was a huge blessing to me, however. This verse is easy to skim over and not really notice. The word “root” stuck out to me. I don’t usually think of bearing fruit in relation to the ROOT of the plant. But then again I have planted potatoes before, so the fruit can definitely be found underground!
The thing that touches me is that when you look at a plant that has its fruit out of sight, you typically don’t recognize anything worthwhile happening for a long time. Sure, there’s a green sprout followed by a growing stem and leaves. Eventually, along comes a few flowers. But nothing worthy of harvesting is seen.
Until the very end.
What a comfort! Even though I can be growing, look healthy on the outside, and keep being faithful where I’m planted, it could be that my fruit will not be seen until the very end of my life cycle. But then there will be a harvest! As a missionary in Japan, many times we work, we plow, we plant, water, weed, and spray….but it looks to us as if nothing is happening. Then, voila! The harvest time comes, and instead of the little we planted, we reap a bountiful multiplication of return.
Let’s keep being faithful to what God has called us, believing that one day we will see a harvest for His glory!
“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9 ESV)