He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest
is a disgraceful son. ~Proverbs 10:5
When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” ~Matthew 9:36-38
I’ll bet you thought that Solomon was talking about crops, and I suppose he was, but Jesus was talking about a crop too, right under His disciples’ noses and they didn’t notice.
Yesterday, we talked about the difference between those who are lazy as an act of will and those who don’t have opportunity. We already know from the proverbs over the last two days that laziness isn’t a good idea. However, shouldn’t the same admonitions apply to lazy Christians? It’s not that there is no opportunity to witness.
What in the world is a lazy Christian, right? Well, fourth soil people know that we’re supposed to be about our Heavenly Father’s business. We know that we are supposed to be out there caring and inwardly learning, and through it all growing to become more like Christ. We mentioned days ago that much of the church probably consists of the second and third soils, but with work, they too can become a fourth soil Christian. However, what about those who go through the motions, sit in their spot, and don’t even notice the needs, or the harvest all around them, as if they are spiritually sleeping. Solomon says,” But he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.” Could we say that this person is a disgraceful Christian?
It is the wise Christian who is always alert for opportunity. “He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son.” Through wisdom, he knows when the time is right to gather and through wisdom, he knows what method to use. All you gardeners know that no two crops are harvested quite the same way. So it is with people. But the one who seeks God’s wisdom becomes wise in knowing what to do in different circumstances. And, as we have said many times before, that wisdom is gained through prayer.
Jesus told His disciples to, “ask the Lord of the harvest,” because He wants the crops brought in too! He will not leave you ill equipped when you are doing His work for the kingdom! When we witness, when we care, we are doing His work for the Kingdom. Isn’t that exciting? How can anyone be lazy about that?
Prayer: Lord please! Send me into the field, equipped to harvest. Open my eyes to see the work. Open doors of opportunity with people who need to be saved. Open their hearts to receive the seed of the gospel. Open my mouth to speak it! In Jesus' name, amen.
Hymn: “Bringing in the Sheaves”
When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” ~Matthew 9:36-38
I’ll bet you thought that Solomon was talking about crops, and I suppose he was, but Jesus was talking about a crop too, right under His disciples’ noses and they didn’t notice.
Yesterday, we talked about the difference between those who are lazy as an act of will and those who don’t have opportunity. We already know from the proverbs over the last two days that laziness isn’t a good idea. However, shouldn’t the same admonitions apply to lazy Christians? It’s not that there is no opportunity to witness.
What in the world is a lazy Christian, right? Well, fourth soil people know that we’re supposed to be about our Heavenly Father’s business. We know that we are supposed to be out there caring and inwardly learning, and through it all growing to become more like Christ. We mentioned days ago that much of the church probably consists of the second and third soils, but with work, they too can become a fourth soil Christian. However, what about those who go through the motions, sit in their spot, and don’t even notice the needs, or the harvest all around them, as if they are spiritually sleeping. Solomon says,” But he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.” Could we say that this person is a disgraceful Christian?
It is the wise Christian who is always alert for opportunity. “He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son.” Through wisdom, he knows when the time is right to gather and through wisdom, he knows what method to use. All you gardeners know that no two crops are harvested quite the same way. So it is with people. But the one who seeks God’s wisdom becomes wise in knowing what to do in different circumstances. And, as we have said many times before, that wisdom is gained through prayer.
Jesus told His disciples to, “ask the Lord of the harvest,” because He wants the crops brought in too! He will not leave you ill equipped when you are doing His work for the kingdom! When we witness, when we care, we are doing His work for the Kingdom. Isn’t that exciting? How can anyone be lazy about that?
Prayer: Lord please! Send me into the field, equipped to harvest. Open my eyes to see the work. Open doors of opportunity with people who need to be saved. Open their hearts to receive the seed of the gospel. Open my mouth to speak it! In Jesus' name, amen.
Hymn: “Bringing in the Sheaves”
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