Harvest Time

The Laborers are Few

Read: Matthew 9 : 36 - 10 : 4

" the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest send out laborers into His harvest."

Harvest Time

About two thousand years ago, Jesus had clearly state that the harvest are plentiful but the laborers are few. Today is the same. The harvest are plentiful but the laborers are few. We can tell that it is harvest time when the crop is right for picking, we can tell if it is harvest time when we see people who are weary, lost and  wandering start looking for answers on the wrong places.

When there are few  laborers, when there are no shepherds, the harvest will be lost, the sheep will be scattered. So it is vitally important that laborers should be send out to gather the crops  and shepherds to guide the flocks.

When Jesus identified that it is harvest time, He have given practical suggestion on how they can accomplish the harvest. He told them to first and foremost to pray, then among the many disciples that follow Him he identify which one to send out, and when he have identified them He have equipped them.

Pray for the Laborers

Jesus believes in prayer. He believes it so much that it was the first instruction He have given to His disciples. (Ch.9v.38). He clearly told us that no matter how sincere our intentions are, it is still the Lord's ministry and the Lord's fields. It is only right to ask Him, the Lord, to guide us in finding, selecting and training the laborers He wants to work on His field.

It is His resources we will use in staffing our laborers, it is wisdom that we want to infuse our workers and it is His vision that we want our men to guide their work. So we must pray, first and foremost, before we made any action in harvesting the Lord's fields.

How many times have we made our decision without consulting the Lord?

Identify the Laborers

After we have prayed, we must carefully identify and select which of the available laborers we must send. There may be a lot of them who is willing and able but we can't efficiently train everyone and provide them the attention and quality of training they deserve (Ch.10v.1a)

Even Jesus, who is God-man, have limited His training ratio to twelve, which I believe is the maximum number we must consider in equipping our people on personal basis. Our laborers need to be trained and equipped with the most information, skills and resources we can personally provide for them. We must be able to duplicate ourselves, into their quality of work.

Have we identify our potential leaders for training and development?

Equip the Laborers

Jesus did not send out the twelve disciples unprepared, unarmed and uninformed. He have given them power, He have empowered them to do the work He Himself are capable of doing. He did not hold back, He taught them everything they will ever need to make them effective and efficient in their harvest (Ch.10v.1b).

He made sure that when his disciples have gone their ways, people will know that they are working under His banner. They are authorized by Jesus Himself, and they will be able to prove it by casting out evil spirits and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of diseases. He have completely equipped them.

Have we trained and developed our people to their maximum potential?

Harvest Time

PERSONAL APPLICATION

Exponential growth in our organization, work and church can be experienced when we applied these three practical suggestions. See what you can immediately applied in your area, today.

1. Pray - the most basic and the most vital part of the ministry our often left out when we 'strategize'. But Jesus was clear, before we make any decision, we make any action and train anyone, we must first pray. Pray that the Lord of the harvest sends out laborers to his harvest field.
2. Identify - among the people who are willing and able, you still need to identify which one you will send out. The one who you  are willing to train, develop and equip to their maximum potential.
3. Equip - Don't hold back when training people,  provide them all the available resources at your disposal, because you want them to be able to operate as if they are complete representative of your organization, upholding your values, casting out your vision and fulfilling your mission. Equip the laborers.