“He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Matthew 13:23)
At the end of the parable, Jesus adds a remarkable phrase. He says that the seed that fell on good soil yields “in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty”. Apparently, some yield more than others. But Jesus does not say that one’s salvation will depend on the amount of fruit one produces. He rather seems to stress that the effect of the transforming power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit in one’s life will not be the same for everybody.
This same principle is repeated in another parable about three servants who each receive a certain amount of money from their master “according to their ability”. They are to work with the money that was entrusted to them, and are praised if they do so faithfully. Their master’s approval is not based on the amount of money they earn, but upon the effort they put in. Even the servant who earned a small amount of money is told: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much” (Matthew 25:23).
Within the church, people have “gifts that differ according to the grace given to us” (Romans 12:6). Not every Christian has the same gifts or the same abilities as others. But all bear fruit to the glory of God.
Do you “bear fruit”? What fruit do the people see when they look at you?