This sounds a bit pessimistic, but it is not intended to be. This thought occurred to me as I looked out the window into the backyard and realized I need to pick the apples. We have a small orchard in the backyard: a cherry tree, plum tree, three peach trees, a fig tree, three pear trees, and three apple trees.

The frugality of my upbringing is in conflict with my couch-potato instincts. I don’t want to battle the mosquitoes and heat, but my grandmother would be appalled if I just let all that fruit go to waste. So, I feel compelled to gather in the harvest from each tree as it ripens.

Understand, I enjoy eating fresh fruit and we have shared some with our friends (and neighbors). But I didn’t plant these trees. I have even contemplated cutting some of them down, just to avoid the feelings of guilt for not attending to them properly. (How’s that for convoluted reasoning!)

But all this brings me to this one principle–to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). These fruit trees are a blessing. They were supplied to us by the previous owners. Cutting them down would be just as wasteful as not picking the fruit (but it would be easier to mow). The point is, I have the responsibility to be a good steward of the blessings that are in my control.

I can’t squander the fruit. I can’t waste the bounty of God’s blessings whether it be my ability, time, resources, gifts, influence, or apples. I have to use what God has put in my hands to the best of my ability. So, guess what I’ll be doing this afternoon?