Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Mat 9:37-38
Why are the labourers few? Since Jesus made that statement, it has held true. Is it a changeable statement or an eternal decree? I do not think it is an eternal decree. I think there are factors that make it remain so. What are the reason for this shortage of workers? Why won’t many believers want to partner with God as labourers to reap His harvest? Here are a few possible thoughts:
- Lack of vision– like the first disciples, who did not understand the real need and problem of man and how to deliver him from it, therefore they (Apostles) could not effectively work until their eyes were opened. Their concerns were quite different from the LORD’s- they wanted to sit at the right and left hand in glory Mt 20:21, they wanted Jesus to restore the Kingdom to Israel perhaps they would get an appointment to boost their status Acts 1:6. They could not see what His Mission was about in His earthly life.
- Lack of fullness of the Spirit– Again drawing from the experience of the first disciples, they were timid, and afraid of men until the Spirit came upon them. When they received the power of the Spirit they became bold witnesses. And not only them all persecuted believers went out with the Gospel wherever they went Acts 8:4
- Ministry dichotomy and misconceptions – With the first disciples, ministry was not specialized- a division between clergy and laity or sacred and secular. It was not the exclusive right or privilege of a few-Apostles. Everyone shared his or her faith as they went Acts 8:4. All hands were on deck- Apostles represented by Peter and John, Evangelists like Philip, Deacons like Stephen and all believers participated in the spreading of the Gospel everywhere. At least, that aspect was not the exclusive preserve of a few. And as long as it is a privilege of a few men, labourers will continue to be few.
- Lack of true knowledge of God– those who know their God shall do exploits but those who do not are self-preserving. The testimonies of men of old were always based on this foundation that they knew God. They spoke when everyone was silent and afraid; they acted when it was not sensible to others. Why? They believed in the invisible God. Their faith always triumphed over what their circumstances presented
- Reluctance barriers– why is a believer reluctant to share his faith? There could be many reasons: Bias, distractions, wrong priorities, fear, desire to please men etc. Unless we overcome whatever is making us reluctant, we will find it difficult to serve God effectively. And labourers will be few still.
Are labourers few? Potentially, they are not, but in practice they are very few. May the LORD cause us to arise above all our barriers.