The Parable of the Field

A man stood by the side of a field watching his laborers at work. The field was heavy with fruit, ripe and rich for harvest. The laborers worked steadily, productively.  Another appeared beside the man. "A fine field," he said.

"Yes," said the first man, "it is abundant. I am blessed".

They stood watching for awhile. Then the other said, "Workers one, three and seven are lost and do not have eternal life".

"What's that to me?" said the first man, "I am not a preacher and they have only come to me for work."

"True enough," the other replied, "They have come to you for work. But what of the matter of their souls? Have you not the gift that you received, and could you not share it with them? They respect you since you have been good and honest. Your wages are fair and you have dependably cared for them. If you speak to them, they will listen."

"I have never thought of such a thing," the first said, "I am a businessman, not a preacher. This is a business, not a church."

"If they die as they are, they will burn in hell apart from the presence of God forever," said the other, "and should that happen, those who had the chance to offer Eternal Life to them, and did not, will be guilty of indifference, and their indifference will cause them great sorrow and loss. Great opportunity, which if lost through indifference, is a very sad thing. Your opportunity is great because they will listen if you speak to them. They look to you."

"But what of my business?" the first queried, "If I take time to talk to them, they would be less fruitful in the work."

"Look," the other replied, "they are talking now of many things. What if you should walk among them? Could you not speak to them? If now they fill their heads with talk of what perishes, could you not instead share with them the way to Eternal Life?"

"I guess I could," said the first.

"It would be wise indeed," the other replied, "for each time one who has Eternal Life offers it to one who is lost and without it, he gains for himself an eternal reward prized in the heavenlies. A wise businessman would be a fool to pass by such a profit. The crop in the field can be lost through storm or drought. It will come and go and soon you will not even remember it.  But the fruit that endures to Eternal Life is yours forever. The crop stored in Heaven is safe and can never be lost."

"I have been blind and unseeing," the first lamented. "Is it too late? Is there yet time to redeem?"

"While they are yet with you it is not too late, but hurry. For the storm clouds gather and who knows how fast the winds will blow?"

The man looked around him and the Other had disappeared.

"For everyone to whom much is given, 
 from him much will be required;
 and to whom much has been committed,
 of him they will ask the more."
                                     Luke 12:48b

Buck Jacobs, AfC
Founder & Chairman
The C12 Group - America's leading Christian CEO roundtable provider since 1992
www.C12Group.com