Know the Tree by Its Fruit: A Lesson That Directly Applies to Small-Business
I’ve seen my fair share of fancy promises and professional-looking people—and, dare I say, I was even involved in what could be called a cult/sect-ish offshoot, for lack of a better term, for a year (it began as a simple homeschool co-op but quickly turned into an isolated group with no oversight when it decided to go out from under a “restrictive” umbrella of a respectable global group). They had good sounding reasons, but the fruits can’t be denied and after leaving it, it quickly fell apart. To be clear, there’s nothing inherently wrong with homeschooling or tight-knit communities, but experience gave me a hard-learned lesson in fruits versus words.
I’m going to blend two situations here (one business scenario with big talk and no results, and that homeschool episode). There are two takeaways: First, things can look and sound great at a glance, but eventually you have to turn your ears off and study the results. That’s practical, biblical advice—“You’ll know a tree by its fruit” (Matthew 7:16). Second, there are non-negotiable yardsticks you must stick to.
I’ve lost—and later forgiven—large debts when promised ventures never materialized. People can spin convincing stories about why they want to pay it all tomorrow instead of part today; in fact, they frame it as a favor to you! I’ve also seen situations where being “well meaning” was treated as reason for breaking contracts or laws. No need to name names or shame anyone (and I’ve made my fair share of mistakes), but you can dodge these traps if you shut off the talk, watch the outcomes, and choose to stand firm or walk away.
With that in mind, let’s explore what real fruit looks like in business. And remember: there’s no point holding grudges or chasing revenge. You’ll meet people like this all the time—learn the signs and protect yourself.
Gospel Principle → Small-Business Reality
| Jesus’ Illustration | Real-World Parallel |
|---|---|
| “Good tree → good fruit; bad tree → bad fruit.” | Solid track record → credibility. Repeated excuses → red flag. |
| False prophets can sound spiritual but live differently. | Prospects can make flashy promises (“Big investment coming,” “Huge launch next month”) yet never deliver. |
| Fruit reveals the heart. | Tangible actions—on-time payments, met milestones, clear communication—prove reliability far better than enthusiastic talk. |
Five Ways to Check a Prospect’s “Fruit”
- Payment history – Ask for vendor references or a modest deposit. Past behavior beats future projections every time.
- Follow-through on small tasks – If a lead drags out signing an agreement or ignores simple content requests, expect bigger delays down the road.
- Transparency – Good clients share budgets, timelines, and constraints. Vague or shifting stories spell risk.
- Measured language – Serious businesses discuss realistic goals and backup plans—data over hype.
- Incremental wins – Even early-stage ventures can show small successes (beta users, first sales). Months of talk with zero progress is a warning sign.
Protect Yourself: Simple Safeguards for Small Businesses
- Milestone billing – Split invoices into a starter deposit, mid-project payment, and final balance. If a prospect balks, reconsider the job.
- Non-refundable deposit – Up-front cash is real fruit; it proves commitment before you invest hours of work.
- Pause-for-non-payment clause – Make it clear that work stops automatically if an invoice ages past a set number of days.
- Scaled-down scope – Offer a modest starter package for budget-tight leads. Their response shows whether they value the relationship or just the pitch.
- Red-flag log – Keep notes on missed deadlines, bounced checks, and shifting stories—your own “fruit journal” to guide future decisions.
Bottom Line
Words can sketch a captivating vision, but reliable partners leave a trail of fulfilled promises. In small business—just as in Jesus’ teaching—judge the tree by what it consistently produces, not by how grandly it rustles its leaves. Stick with customers and collaborators who bear good fruit, and gently prune away the rest. Your projects, cash flow, and peace of mind will thank you.
