The warning is for all time. Christ's act in cursing the tree which His own power had created stands as a warning to all churches and to all Christians. No one can live the law of God without ministering to others. But there are many who do not live out Christ's merciful, unselfish life. Some who think themselves excellent Christians do not understand what constitutes service for God. They plan and study to please themselves. They act only in reference to self. Time is of value to them only as they can gather for themselves. In all the affairs of life this is their object. Not for others but for themselves do they minister. God created them to live in a world where unselfish service must be performed. He designed them to help their fellow men in every possible way. But self is so large that they cannot see anything else. They are not in touch with humanity. Those who thus live for self are like the fig tree, which made every pretension but was fruitless. They observe the forms of worship, but without repentance or faith. In profession they honor the law of God, but obedience is lacking. They say, but do not. In the sentence pronounced on the fig tree Christ demonstrates how hateful in His eyes is this vain pretense. He declares that the open sinner is less guilty than is he who professes to serve God, but who bears no fruit to His glory.

Denne advarsel gælder for alle tider. Kristi forbandelse af det træ, som var skabt ved hans egen magt, står stadig som en advarsel til alle menigheder og alle kristne. Ingen kan leve efter Guds lov uden at tjene andre. Men der findes mange, der ikke lever Kristi barmhjertige, uselviske liv. Nogle, der regner sig selv for udmærkede kristne, forstår ikke, hvori tjenesten for Gud består. De planlægger og studerer, som det passer dem selv. De handler kun efter deres eget forgodtbefindende. Tiden har kun værdi for dem, hvis de kan bruge den til at berige sig selv. Dette er deres hovedformål under alle livets forhold. De tjener ikke andre, men kun sig selv.