Paul looked at his life with only one goal in mind—bearing fruit. And he recognized the direct correlation between bearing fruit and labor—fruit will not come without labor; the intensity level, dedication level and patience level of the labor will have an obvious bearing on the fruit level.
Consider your labor for the Lord. Then, consider the fruit that has resulted. Is the fruit comparable to the labor? Are you satisfied with the fruit you are bearing? Do you believe your labor is pleasing to the Lord? Could you possibly bear more fruit? How much more?
Some of us may be bearing no fruit at all…some may be bearing a little…some may be bearing a lot. The reality is that each of us can bring forth more fruit than we are right now, but this will require more labor on our part. What purpose does your life have? Paul looked at his life with only one goal in mind—“if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor” (Phil. 1:22). Do you have the same goal?