This weekend we had our regular marketplace sale at the church for fundraising purposes (many thanks to those who helped set up, organize, and attend). The activity involved in making it happen drew to mind what the Word might have to say. We are, therefore, delighted to share the following article on the same subject - in the hope that you may be equally inspired to "make your way to the
marketplace of the Word in the church."
Love and Peace,
Ethan
NEW CHURCH Life 1955
The well-known and thought-provoking
Parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) concerns those who constitute the church, and their reward. The significant things of the parable are the vineyard, the Lord of the vineyard going to the marketplace at different hours to hire laborers, and His return at the end of the day to pay the laborers their hire.
It is to be noted that the Lord of the vineyard hired His laborers
from among those who stood idle in the marketplace. Trading, that is, buying and selling, and the active exchange of goods, together with the marketplace where trading is done, represents the acquisition and exchange of knowledges.
To be actively engaged in trading represents using one's various faculties in the acquisition and teaching
of knowledges of all kinds. It also represents to be immersed in such things. Consequently, to stand idle in a marketplace represents not using one's faculties in acquiring…knowledges, either because of incapacity, or because of unwillingness and indifference; or it can also represent not to immerse one's self in the mere acquisition of knowledges, but to seek higher forms of activity and use [from them].
We are taught that the acquisition of knowledges of good and truth from the Word is necessary for [our spiritual rebirth]. Thus to be called by the Lord it is necessary that a person make their way to the market-place of the Word and of the church where these knowledges [can be gathered]. But no one can be called as long as they make no sincere effort to acquire and to use knowledges [for the good of life].
