What I Would Not Be

1 I would not be a fruitless tree,
With fol’age o’er and o’er,
On which the Master’s eye might find
But leaves and nothing more;
On which the Master’s curse might fall
And wither root, and branch, and all.

2 I would not be a fruitless branch
On Christ, who is the Vine,
And cast abroad my deadly shade
Where sunlight ought to shine—
The which the husbandman must spurn,
And cast into the fire to burn.

3 I would not be a barren ground,
Refusing aught to yield,
But choking thistles, thorns, and tares—
A bad and worthless field,
From which the Lord would turn away,
And leave it ever waste to lay.

4 I would not be a servant mean,
And hide beneath the ground
The talent given by my Lord—
At last a sloth be found,
Who, at the final judgment day,
Must be forever cast away.

Source: Timeless Truths #275