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| WHY ARE THE WORKERS SO FEW? |
| By Jerry Kuiper |
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| The workers are few, but why? A great question, and like all great
questions it is one we must ask ourselves. We know in Matthew 9:37
that it's a statement made by Jesus Christ to His disciples (that's
us): "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."
But why? Why are the workers so few? |
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| A wonderful parable found in Matthew 21: 28-32 speaks volumes of
the very nature of this spiritual dilemma as our human nature applies.
Maybe you remember the story. If not, let me refresh your memory.
It's the one about the man who had two sons. The way I see it happening,
he tells them in the morning, probably right after breakfast, that
they are to go work in the family vineyard. |
| Well, the first son immediately says no way, that he's not going
to work on his Saturday off. He goes tramping out the door and heads
off to who knows where. However, he goes a distance and suddenly reality
sets in. How can he directly disobey his father after all of the wonderful
things his dad has done for him? That present moment of shame changed
his stubborn will forever. |
| He turned about-face and headed for the vineyard. Once inside, her
picked up his tools and began the harvest. He could only assume the
joy this would bring his father's heart as it reminded him of an other
story about the return of the Prodigal son, a tale often told by his
dad. That evening, he placed a note on his father's dinner plate.
It read, "Dear father I ask you to forgive me for my rebellion.
From this day forward I will serve you in the vineyard or any other
harvest field where my talents can be used best by you. Thank you
for all you have done for me, I love you, Your Child." |
| Now, as for the second son, he's a real piece of work -- a man who
you might say lacks conscience. Right up front he appears to be ready,
willing and able to follow his father's directives, but as we are
about to find out, he speaks and acts out of both sides of his mouth |
| "Oh yeah dad, I'll gladly work in your vineyard, no problem,
piece of cake. After all, the whole family will benefit from my efforts
in helping you. I will be there!" |
| Then son No. 2 head out to work the vineyard to help in the harvest,
just as he said he would. But then something happens inside his head;
a new thought, almost like a little voice whispering in his ear. You
know the kind of voices that echo around our consciences, like a pinball,
each time we're making right or wrong-type decisions. The voice speaks
louder, almost shouting, "You don't have to do this work; there
are plenty of others to do the job." And then it says, "Take
a chance on disobeying your father. You'll think of a good excuse
like, I'll just do it another day." And then comes the clincher
from that mysterious little voice inside as it says, "Don't worry,
he'll forgive you, he always does. You're his child and those rewards
he promised for your help with the harvest you'll never miss what
you haven't yet seen." |
| So the second son takes all of this ill advice into consideration.
He then weighs his decision on scales of flesh as opposed to those
of the spirit and he proceeds to drop the ball. The second son has
decided he has more important things to do than work at his father's
harvest. A note of explanation to the father? Of course, he'll have
to give his reasons (excuses) for failure! What do you think this
not would read like? What would you write if your life mirrored the
second son? "Dear father, _________________." |
| Finally, even though the story does not speak of a third son, I
believe there is one. He's the one who has known from the very genesis
of communication with this father that he should always be about his
father's business. He heads out each day to his father's vineyards
to gather in the harvest. He knows many days will be very laborious.
There may be no harvest. Those days, however, he then will plant,
water and cultivate, all important for future harvest. |
| The story ends here, but the application of the principles invoked
go on forever. They touch the lives of every Christian alive today.
In fact, they suggest -- no, they demand -- that each of us must choose
a position where we stand on this matter of obedience. God has envisioned
me with a contract for each Christian to consider. It's designed with
personal choices. It challenges each reader with extreme honesty. |
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"A Contract to Harvest"
(Worker's Agreement)
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1. I will pray daily for all of the
non-believers worldwide, that they may receive Jesus
Christ into their hearts and lives (Ephesians 6:18)
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| 2. I will go out each day, whether at
work or play, looking for opportunities that have been
prepared by You to share about Jesus and participate in
your harvest field (1Peter 3:15) |
| 3. I will seek training to better my
harvest skills. I will obtain the tools needed to cultivate,
plant, water and help in the harvest. (1 Corinthians 9:25). |
| 4. I will assist other workers through
prayer, prayer partnering and discipleship (Matthew 21). |
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El Cajon, Ca. 92019
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