As Charles Spurgeon aptly stated, “We want laborers, not loiterers” when reaching the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 9, Jesus surveys the crowds of people, lost like sheep without a shepherd, and He instructs his disciples to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38). As followers of Christ today, we too are called to be laborers in His harvest field. But it can be all too easy to become complacent, inactive, and essentially loiters instead of laborers. So, how can we avoid being loiterers and become productive laborers in God’s harvest?
First, we must examine our hearts. Do we have a genuine burden to see lost people come to saving faith in Jesus? If not, we are in danger of being loiters instead of laborers. As C.S. Lewis said, “The stamp of the saint is that he can waive his own rights and obey the Lord Jesus.” It’s not about selfish motives but laying down our lives for the sake of the gospel and prioritizing Christ’s Great Commission to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Pray that God would give you a heart of compassion for the lost and move you into action.
Second, cultivate a lifestyle of intentional evangelism and outreach. Loiters can often be apathetic, inactive, and avoidant when it comes to sharing their faith. But we are called to build relationships with unbelievers to have gospel conversations intentionally. Look for opportunities to extend kindness and serve those who don’t know Jesus. Learn to share your testimony and the bridge illustration in a natural, relational way. Set goals to share the gospel with X number of people this year. Organize events at your church to bring in unbelievers to hear the gospel. Go on short-term mission trips to support spreading the gospel overseas. There are so many ways we can be actively engaged in personal, local, and global outreach if we make it a priority.
Third, use your unique gifts and talents to advance God’s harvest. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God has gifted each of us and placed us strategically where we are for a purpose. How can you use your skills and platform to contribute to kingdom work? If you love to write, start a blog sharing the gospel. If you’re an extrovert, volunteer to lead evangelism training. If you have musical abilities, join the worship team at church and lead people into God’s presence. Ask God how you can steward your gifts for the advancement of His harvest.
Fourth, be persistently prayerful about the Great Commission. While action is essential, we must also undergird it with prayer as Jesus instructs His disciples in Matthew 9. Make prayer for worldwide gospel proclamation a regular part of your personal devotional life and church prayer meetings. Pray for missionaries and organizations spreading the gospel around the globe. Pray for boldness and wisdom as you have conversations with unbelievers. Pray for family members and friends who don’t know Christ yet. John Wesley urged, “God does nothing but in answer to prayer.” Our action must be bathed in prayer.
Fifth, support and partner with others actively engaged in the harvest. Ecclesiastes 4:9 states, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.” We must support, encourage, and partner with other laborers to maximize our impact—volunteer with evangelistic ministries that bear fruit. Give financially to missionaries and organizations spreading the gospel in difficult places. Share the work of evangelists and apologists’ content on social media to help increase outreach. Strategically pray for, equip, and send workers to the plentiful harvest (Matthew 9:37).
In summary, we must examine our hearts, cultivate a lifestyle of outreach, use our gifts, pray persistently, and partner with others to be faithful laborers in the Lord’s harvest. The world is lost and dying without Christ. May we heed Spurgeon’s appeal to move from loitering to becoming active laborers in this crucial work? As the hymn says,
“We’ve a story to tell to the nations, that shall turn their hearts to the right,
A story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light.
For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright;
And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light.”
Will you help proclaim this story as a laborer? The time is urgent, the task is great, but our Savior is greater! Become a laborer in the harvest field today!
Josh Cehulik 