"They made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept." Song of Solomon 1:6.
In the busy activities of life, and in the hurry and bustle of church affairs, there is danger that we as workers shall be robbed of that which is most essential to all spiritual life and ministry,—prayer and Bible study.
We do no violence to the text cited in applying it to the work of the minister. In a special sense every worker is a keeper of the Lord's vineyard. It takes much work to care properly for a vineyard. As the vineyard is enlarged, the labor is increased. I have seen keepers of large vineyards out early, pruning, cultivating, spraying on sulphur, training the vines, and picking the grapes. While it is a busy life, the rush comes at the time of harvest. It is then that every day is too short. Every minute is crowded. Only a few days! And if the crop is not gathered and cared for, it is lost.
Our text gives the picture of a man who had a vineyard of his own to care for, as well as being the keeper of other vineyards. In these sixteen short words what a tragedy is revealed. In an attempt to care for the vineyards of others, to help them till the soil and gather in the fruit, the man in the text neglected to care for his own. He was too busy working for others to give proper attention and care to his own. The result was his own personal loss. Does this correctly represent any of the workers in this cause? Have we been so busy working for the Lord that we have neglected our own personal, spiritual experience?
In the text, there is no inference that the keeping of the vineyards for others was not a good work. In fact, that is the major part of the minister's program. But it is possible for one to be so engrossed in even a good work, yes, the Lord's work, that no time is left for that personal study and meditation so necessary for personal Christian experience.
We would not suggest that our workers withdraw from the care and supervision that should be given to our churches. We would not have you shut yourselves away in some secluded place or monastery, where you would be deaf to the calls and pleadings of our dear people. He who removes himself from the needs of the people will, within a short time, develop a Pharisaical, self-righteous spirit, entirely out of harmony with the life and teachings of the Master who ever "went about doing good."
But there must be thrown around the daily life of every worker a time sacred to himself, in which he finds personal communion with God, and in which he partakes of that spiritual food found in the study of the Bible. To neglect this is to experience spiritual death. We can never move the world by mechanical power. Nothing but the power of God can accomplish the task that is before this people. That power is given to the man who tarries long with God in the secret chamber, and through him it is communicated to the people. I believe I am safe in saying that the man who does not keep his own vineyard will never properly keep the vineyards of others.
We see how clearly Jesus emphasized the importance of personal experience in His association with Martha and Mary. Of these two sisters, Martha stands out as the industrious worker. And how we all admire the one who will work! Every detail in Martha's daily program was carefully checked, for Jesus said, "Thou art careful . . . about many things." She was also noted for her hospitality, for the record says, "Martha received Him into her house." This humble home was always open to the Master.
From the human viewpoint it is hard to find much fault with Martha. She was sociable, hospitable, neat, industrious, careful, and, I believe, a good manager. She did not overlook details. And I do not believe the Master ever intended that these Christian attributes should be carelessly brushed aside because of the words of commendation spoken to Mary. In no way did Jesus criticize Martha for what she had done. The criticism, if we may call it such, was in what she had not done. As He said to the scribes and Pharisees, "These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
In her busy, active life, Martha had neglected to give sufficient time to spiritual things. She had been busy to the point of personal neglect in doing—what? In ministering to Jesus. Is there not a deep lesson for workers in this cause to learn from this experience? Is it not possible that we may become so busy and engrossed in the work of God that we neglect that personal contact with the source of all power which is gained only in the secret chamber?
"One thing is needful," said Jesus. If those words were true when spoken to Martha, how about our labors in the cause of God today? I ask you, as workers, What is your greatest need today? As you take inventory, some of You could wish for better health. Some would desire better training. Others would like more and better equipment for your work. The lack of any of these is a handicap. But, fellow worker, your greatest need is that "one thing," that "good part" which Martha had neglected. The lack of this "one thing" stands in the way of Martha's shining forth as an illustrious character. And the lack of this "one thing" in the life of a worker today unfits him for the responsibilities that the times demand.
In "The Desire of Ages" we read:
"The 'one thing' that Martha needed was a calm, devotional spirit, a deeper anxiety for knowledge concerning the future, immortal life, and the graces necessary for spiritual advancement. She needed less anxiety for the things which pass away, and more for those things which endure forever. Jesus would teach His children to seize every opportunity of gaining that knowledge which will make them wise unto salvation. The cause of Christ needs careful, energetic workers. There is a wide field for the Marthas, with their zeal in active religious work. But let them first sit with Mary at the feet of Jesus. Let diligence, promptness, and energy be sanctified by the grace of Christ; then the life will be an unconquerable power for good."
I recently received a letter from a friend of mine. This man had been a fellow laborer in the ministry for about twenty years. He recently had a very unfortunate and disastrous experience. It was one of those calamities that wreck men. When I heard about it, I wrote him a letter of sympathy, because I wanted to show myself friendly. And it is when you are in trouble that you appreciate your friends. It is when you are in trouble that you learn who are your friends. I wish to quote three paragraphs from the reply to my letter. I do this because this letter tells this man's experience, or lack of experience, that led up to his downfall.
"Yes, because of conduct unbecoming a minister, I ha-ye been dropped -out of the work. The conference did the only thing it could do under the circumstances. The brethren have been very kind and considerate. There is no criticism due them.
"This is the first time in over twenty years that I have not been connected with the work in some way. It breaks our hearts to think that after twenty years of time spent in the work, slowly building up to the place where I was best prepared for my chosen work, I should allow the devil so to gain control that my career was wrecked.
"Since this thing came up I have done a great deal of thinking and reading and praying. I think I can see how it happened. I always took great pride in the work of my church. I worked early and late to keep everything up. In fact, I took so much time for work that I took no time for Bible study and prayer. I took almost no time to feed my own soul. The result was, I lost connection with God, and became a ready prey for the devil's inducements.
"I have learned that for me, at least, my very salvation depends on maintaining communion with God through Bible study and prayer. In this experience my wife and I have learned anew what it means to rely upon God. We have dedicated ourselves to Him without reserve. We are determined to live the truth and walk with God, no matter what comes. It is our determination to make this experience a steppingstone toward the kingdom."
Please notice these expressions: "I always took great pride in the work of my church. I worked early and late to keep everything up. In fact, I took so much time for work that I took no time for Bible study and prayer. I took almost no time to feed my own soul."
What a tragic end for a worker in this cause. The lack of prayer and Bible study has written finis to this talented man. "They made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept."
(To be continued)
Seattle, Washington.
