This is designed to encourage diligence, faithfulness, and constancy,
even in mean employments. Though the calling be laborious and
despicable, yet those who keep to it will find there is something to be
got by it. 1. Let not a poor gardener, who keeps the fig-tree, be
discouraged; though it require constant care and attendance to nurse up
fig-trees, and, when they have grown to maturity, to keep them in good
order, and gather the figs in their season, yet he shall be paid for
his pains: He shall eat the fruit of it, 1 Cor. ix. 7. 2. Nay, let not
a poor servant think himself incapable of thriving and being preferred;
for if he be diligent in waiting on his master, observant of him and
obedient to him, if he keep his master (so the word is), if he do all
he can for the securing of his person and reputation and take care that
his estate be not wasted or damaged, such a one shall be honoured,
shall not only get a good word, but be preferred and rewarded. God is a
Master who has engaged to put an honour on those that serve him
faithfully, John xii. 26.