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The Laborers Are Few

One time, the Lord Jesus Christ told the twelve apostles on the magnitude of the task of preaching, " Behold, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few," Matthew 9:37.

Indeed, in comparison with the number of souls to be spiritually harvested- there is always a dearth for laborers in God's vineyard.

But simply recognizing the fact that there are few " full time" laborers in God's kingdom is not enough. Every local congregation must wake up to the reality that this " unsaved" world cannot be won to Christ by just a handful of men and women.

The whole local congregation must move. It must employ all its talents and hands so that the task of " bringing" people to Christ can be done.

Any local church has young people as members. They are a " powerful tool" when trained, taught, challenged and motivated.

Church leaders should realize that it is difficult to teach " new tricks to old dogs," although it is not entirely impossible.

Old habits and values would be difficult to alter but every born-again person is a new creature. Thus, the so- called impossibility of molding adult individuals can still be realized.

The "humble heart and the teachable spirit" must be emphasized. Because a proud person and a " know -it- all" individual would be difficult to teach.

Once, Jesus prayed, " Father, I thank you that you have hidden these things from the learned of this world and have revealed them to the babes and the innocent," Matthew 11:25.

The babes and the innocent in this passage do not literally refer to little children. It points to the " spiritually humble, innocent and teachable spirit."

And only these people will be willing to accept God's grace and wisdom of the gospel that the world sometimes would call " foolishness," I Corinthians 1:20-25.

Thus, there is an " alternative" sector of the church to be trained, i.e. the young people and the fresh converts.

Still, the experienced, the matured and adult membership can be tapped.

Regardless of whoever shall be trained for the job of reaching out to the non-members- it is important to remember that this " training" must be consistent and continuous.

In any congregation, the " laborers can be few" because it chooses to remain that way. Let not this statement be applicable to your congregation.

The situation can be altered. The challenge is posed. The responsibility is great. The task ahead is indeed a huge challenge.

But it can be done with the help of the Lord. The talents given by God must be used. They must not be hidden. And the the time to act is NOW.