Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. (Rom. 16:12 NKJ)</>
Tryphena and Tryphosa are not words you would expect to hear on a typical Sunday morning. However, they were Christians in the Church in Rome whom Paul mentioned by name and added a remarkable comment about their lives. He said, “ . . . who labored much in the Lord.”
There is labor in the Lord. Paul was not referring to their hard work in the affairs of their daily lives, but the hard work in the field or garden of God to cultivate and harvest the fruits of the lives of men for eternal life in heaven. Tryphena and Tryphosa labored much in the Lord.
God has work to be done on the earth. Jesus said in Mathew 9:37, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” That implies there are not enough people in the vineyard of God. Why? Is it because God does not want to hire enough staff? No. Those who are called to the work do not do the work, for whatever reason.
Learn a lesson from Tryphena and Tryphosa. Is there anything you are doing that is hard work and is for the sake of the Church of God, either to bring souls into the Kingdom or build up God’s people? This is the labor that has the greatest reward.
Not every labor is for the kingdom of God. You do not have to be a pastor or have some church position to labor in the kingdom. God has given us all a gift to make sacrifices in different ways for the kingdom of God to prosper. Answer God’s call and get your hands dirty in God’s field!
MEDITATE
What do you think is the reason why there are few laborers in God’s field to work?
APPLY THE WORD
What are you doing for the kingdom? It is pleasure or hard work? Start laboring in the kingdom today!
PRAY
Ask God that He will send more laborers into His field.
Recommended Read: Serving God without Fear and Dangers of a complaining spirit.
Must Read!: What is a Daily Devotional?
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