METHODIST DAILY REFLECTION FOR TODAY SUNDAY, 21ST SEPTEMBER 2026 - WHY STAND IDLE?
DATE: MONDAY, 21ST SEPTEMBER 2026
THEME: WHY STAND IDLE?
PASSAGE: MATTHEW 20:1-7
MESSAGE:
Idleness renders the diligent impotent of virtue. Idleness gradually drains an active person so that with the passage of time he becomes visionless and inactive, which can result into frustration. Little wonder, it is said that the idle brain is the devil's workshop.
The text tells us about the landowner who hired workers in his field at the early hour of the day. He settled with the labourers for a denarius about 17 cents. At the third, sixth and eleventh hours, he still went out to hire others for same the work, at different hours but were paid the same denarius at the end of the day's job. It should be noted that he agreed what to pay only with those he hired at 6.am and" whatsoever is right" with those he hired later. There are great lessons to learn from the parable:
The Kingdom of God is big and rich with work available for any willing labourer who is ready to partner in the kingdom's work. This is because it is clearly stated that at any time the Owner of the Vineyard sees labourers he engages them, yet the field was not weary. So, do not envy another man's gift; instead, know your gift and put it into use. God will honour you.
The availability of resources to satisfy the need of the workers are enormous so that the master of the field even paid them with magnanimity. Because, even those who were hired at the later hours were paid the same 17cents! You may think that this is not fair with early labourers but God knows that it is. Trust God with your needs and He will satisfy you.
A good lesson from the idle labourers is that though they were idle they were not in the real sense because they positioned themselves in the labour market waiting for opportunities. Judging their answers to the Owner of the Vineyard, that "because no one hired us they were right." Are you readily available for God, in your family of office, business or study as a student?
* Today, God is calling you to service as the field is still very wide and ripe for souls to be harvested. Are you a church goer, enough of sitting and accessing the work of others. Get something doing to add value to the body of Christ. Beloved, stop being idle.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going." Ecclesiastes 9:10
HYMN: MHB 590 (L.M) FORTH in Thy name, O Lord I go
1. FORTH In Thy name, O Lord, I go,
My daily labour to pursue,
Thee, only Thee, resolved to know
In all I think, or speak, or do.
2. The task Thy wisdom hath
assigned O let me cheerfully fulfil,
In all my works Thy presence find,
And prove Thy acceptable will.
3. Thee may I set at my right hand,
Whose eyes my inmost substance see,
And labour on at Thy command,
And offer all my works to Thee.
4. Give me to bear Thy easy yoke,
And every moment watch and pray,
And still to things eternal look,
And hasten to Thy glorious day ;
5. For Thee delightfully employ Whate'er
Thy bounteous grace hath given,
And run my course with even Joy,
And closely walk with Thee to heaven.
PRAYER
Great God of harvest, commit me to do Your assigned duty. Let the grace that empowers and strengthens the weak accompany my service for Your Kingdom in Jesus' Name. Amen.
READ:
DAY: Joel 1-2
NIGHT: Joel 3