Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 9:37-38

"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest." — Matthew 9:37-38 (ASV)

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.

His heavy heart sought solace among "his disciples," and he spoke to them. He mourned the scarcity of workers. Pretenders were many, but real "labourers" in the harvest were few.

The sheaves were spoiling. The crowds were ready to be taught, even as ripe wheat is ready for the sickle, but there were few to instruct them. And where could more teaching men be found?

God only can thrust out, or "send forth labourers." Man-made ministers are useless. The fields are still encumbered with gentlemen who cannot use the sickle. Still, the real ingatherers are few and far between.

Where are the instructive, soul-winning ministries? Where are those who travail in birth for their hearers' salvation? Let us plead with the Lord of the harvest to care for his own harvest and send out his own men. May many a true heart be moved by the question, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? to answer, Here am I! Send me.

His heavy heart sought solace among “his disciples,” and He spoke to them. He mourned the scarcity of workers. Pretenders were many, but real “laborers” in the harvest were few. The sheaves were spoiling. The crowds were ready to be taught, even as ripe wheat is ready for the sickle, but there were few to instruct them, and where could more teaching men be found?

Only God can thrust out or “send forth laborers.” Man-made ministers are useless. The fields are still encumbered with gentlemen who cannot use the sickle. Still, the real ingatherers are few and far between. Where are the instructive, soul-winning ministries? Where are those who travail in birth for their hearers’ salvation?

Let us plead with the Lord of the harvest to care for His own harvest and send out His own men. May many a true heart be moved by the question, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” to answer, “Here am I! Send me.”

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.

Pretenders were many, but real "labourers" were few. God only can thrust out or "send forth labourers."

Man-made ministers are useless, yet they abound all around us; but where are the instructive soul-winning ministries? Let us plead with the Lord of the harvest to care for his own harvest, and to thrust out his own harvestmen.