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or, Christian enterprise (in conjunction with Matthew 9:36-38; Luke 10:2): —

I. THE ORIGINAL MOTIVE OF ALL CHRISTIAN ENTERPRISE. "He was moved with compassion."

1. Christian enterprise should be irrespective of class, creed, or character. "The multitudes" were a mixed assembly, a fair picture of the world. Friends and foes. Christ confined His benevolence to none. Christians should do good to all.

2. Christian enterprise should have special reference to the spiritual state of man. "Sheep without shepherd." Our Lord did not overlook temporal and intellectual needs, but made them subservient to the spiritual.

3. Christian enterprise should be the result of feeling, deep and genuine.

II. THE PRESSING CLAIM OF ALL CHRISTIAN ENTERPRISE UPON ALL CHRISTIAN MEN (Luke 10:2).

1. The state of the harvest —

(1) There is sufficient scope for all Christian labour. No one can complain of lack of material. Work when and wherever you can.

(2) There is a sufficient motive. The harvest is great.

(a)  In point of difficulty. The conversion of one soul is a work of no ordinary magnitude; how much greater that of a world! The difficulty arises from human depravity.

(b)  In consequence of its responsibilities. To control the parliament of a mighty nation far less responsible than changing the eternal destiny of myriads.

(c)  In the glory connected with its final triumph.

(3) There is sufficient maturity. "White unto harvest." God's time is the present. History is what men, under God, make it. Mere time will never bring a millennium. That will result from work, not waiting.

2. The paucity of the workmen. "Labourers are few" —

(1)  In comparison with the work to be done.

(2)  In comparison with the idle. In every church a few do all the work.

III. THE SPECIAL PROVIDENCE WHICH SHOULD BE EVER RECOGNIZED BY ALL CHRISTIANS IN CARRYING ON EVERY CHRISTIAN ENTERPRISE. "Pray ye therefore," etc. There is here a recognition —

1. Of the divinity of our work.

2. Of the necessity of human agents.

3. Of the importance of prayer.

4. Of final triumph. "Gathered fruit unto life eternal."

(Evan Lewis, B. A.)

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KJV: Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

WEB: Don't you say, 'There are yet four months until the harvest?' Behold, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest already.