In the United States, the first Monday in September is Labor Day.
Matthew 9:35-38
Although it had been observed for more than a decade, Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894. Some histories suggest it was designed to placate striking unions but, today, most people find it’s a way to honor those whose work keeps the nation running. It’s also a final excuse to cook out and talk about the upcoming college football season.
Of course, it’s impossible to talk about Labor Day without thinking about the problems of unemployment in the US. Lately we just can’t seem to get the rate down much below 9%. I’ve been reading about the Great Depression. Did you know during the Depression the unemployment rate stayed about 17% and never got below 14%? Once, it reached almost 24%. If you’re looking for a job or have a loved one looking for a job, those figures might not make you feel better but they should remind you that things could be worse. Those of us working can be thankful we have the resources to help our loved ones, even if it’s nothing but an occasional meal, and to be there to offer moral support.
Labor issues then and now are complex and we should be careful about easy answers. One editorial published during the Great Depression said, “If you lined all the economists up end to end, they wouldn’t reach a conclusion.” This solution may not be in any book on economy or political science, but we’d be well-advised to pray for our leaders as they make decisions affecting our nation.
When we talk about the job problem we inevitably talk about outsourcing, the practice of sending jobs outside the country so they can be done for less wages and overhead. Now, people in my line of work don’t worry much about being outsourced. Though, I suppose, if a congregation had a big-screen TV and a majority of people who really liked Joel Osteen, it could happen.
Not too long ago, I found myself in two different conversations about the effect of outsourcing. In each, the conversation began with a comment on friends who were engaged in job searches, job searches that had thus far proven futile. At this point, the subject of outsourcing came up. The AC tech who had come to service the church unit spoke of some friends who had lost their jobs at a large insurance company in Columbus. Their jobs were shipped overseas so dozens of American workers were suddenly jobless. The funny thing is this company’s slogan speaks of how much it is on the side of its customers. Apparently, it is not on the side of its employees—at least not those living in central Ohio.
I admit to mixed feelings about outsourcing. I believe companies should make profits. Yet, I still have to ask: At what cost? Sure, perhaps some unions have brought trouble on themselves due to their increasing demands. Yet, is there a powerful, greedy claims adjusters’ union doing the same to the insurance industry? Does the Bank of America, no less, really have to hire men and women living on other continents to call my home to try to entice me to take advantage of their new low interest rates on transferred balances? I wonder.
But, again, I don’t know the answer to the employment problem we face. I know that compassion toward those out of work is more Christlike than indifference. And, though I am usually rather scrupulous about not getting political in the pulpit, I will venture an observation of which talk-show hosts and ivy-league pundits seem unaware: Both conservative ideology and liberal ideology have some blind spots. And situations like this make those blind spots especially obvious—except to radio talk-show hosts and left-wing pundits.
That being said let me point out there is one place where plenty of jobs are available—the church.
During his ministry, Jesus met a lot of needy people. As he traveled through the farmlands of Judea and Samaria, he saw parallels as the crops became ready for harvest.
Matthew tells the story.
35 Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness.; 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.; 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. ; 38 Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”
John recalls a statement Jesus made about his experience with the Samaritan woman he met at the well. Jesus had engaged her in a purposeful conversation about spiritual issues and she had hurried off to the nearby city to tell others about him. His disciples, who were shocked he was even talking with her, needed an explanation. This is it.
He told them: ‘`You say, `Four months more and then the time for harvest comes.' But, listen, I am telling you to look up and see the fields. They are ready for harvest now.”
Jesus’ traveling companions may have thought this would be a quick trip across the despised home of the Samaritans. Instead, it became a recruitment rally. The Samaritans were the first of many “outsiders” who would eventually join the ranks of the believers. Those Samaritans understood: “They said to the woman, ‘`We believe, not only because of what you said, but also because we ourselves have heard. We know that he is truly the Savior of the world!”
When the harvest is going to involve the whole world, there will never be layoffs, downsizing, or signs declaring, “No work!”
I left a store the other day and there was a sign that said, “Help Wanted! All Shifts! All Positions!” The store needed clerks, stock room help, all kinds of workers.
The church needs all kinds of workers. In First Corinthians 12, Paul talks about the various kinds of ministries that are at work in a healthy church. He mentions at least twelve and some scholars believe it’s possible to find nineteen such “gifts” listed in the New Testament. Other scholars believe the list is actually endless. Not every Christian is suited for every job but there is a job for you. Here’s a sampling of the jobs we might post.
--The church always has jobs for encouragers.
One of Job’s friends said of him, “Your words have kept man on their feet.” These days we need people like that who can offer a word of courage when we’re tempted to give up.
--The church always has jobs for teachers.
Whenever a new generation is born into the church or a new convert joins us, we need to help them be grounded in the faith. Those with the gift of teaching are essential if we would pass our faith on.
--The church always has jobs for listeners.
Jim Henderson, in his book Evangelism without Additives, speaks of Christians who have learned how to evangelize with their ears. We have a tendency to talk, to want to share our viewpoints, our opinions, to make our cases. Jesus demonstrated a tendency to listen, to treat people as if they were important not mere conquests.
--The church always has jobs for peacemakers,
Strife and division can hit our families, our churches, the workplace. We need Christians who can tear down the walls separating people and bring them together. That kind of work is always needed.
--The church always has jobs for witnesses.
As Jesus looked over the crowds who came to hear him, he saw their profound spiritual needs, their “lostness.” As the song says, “People need the Lord.” The church needs men and women who are willing to share the story of Jesus, to make the gospel clear.
One of the issues we Americans have been wrestling with is the issue of illegal immigration. Some argue that we shouldn’t worry greatly about it because the immigrants are only taking “jobs Americans won’t do.” Since I’ve seen men fall into the muck of a cow lot and get up to work again, I’m not sure what those jobs might be.
Anyway, at times it seems evangelism is one of those jobs Christians won’t do. It’s too embarrassing, too challenging, to open to being misunderstood. So, we attempt to “outsource” it. Of course, it’s not very effective. It may be ineffective because those we ask to do the job are overworked. It may be ineffective because those we ask to do the job never get to know those they’re trying to help.
When Jesus saw fields ready for harvest, he thought about more than wheat, he thought about people. He thought of the Twelve he was training and knew they had to see people as he saw them. It was the only way they could do the job he had for them. It’s the only we can do the job he has for us.
When Jesus saw the field ready for harvest, he thought of the people who would need to be reached. He knew it would take more laborers than the Twelve. He urged them to pray for more laborers. He urges us to do the same. He calls us to be the answer to that prayer.
