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I. THE EVIL CENSURED. Spiritual idleness. Often accompanied with great secular activity, and a flaming profession. Consists in neglect — of life's mission; the souls salvation and sanctification (Philippians 2:12, 13); works for the spiritual benefit of others seeking in order to save them that are lost (1 Corinthians 10:24). This neglect is highly criminal.

1. As injurious to one's self. Deteriorates the moral nature.

2. As injurious to others.

3. As disobedience to the Divine summons, "Go work," etc. Christ came to do the Father's will, and summons us to follow Him.

II. THE CONTINUANCE AND AGGRAVATION OF THE EVIL. "All the day idle," etc. Youth, manhood, age. The reproach increases with the passing months and years.

1. When so much work for yourself and others ought to have been done.

2. When others have been so long labouring.

3. When there has been so much time and opportunity — "eleventh hour" — "market place."

4. When the working day is drawing to a dose.

III. The EXCUSES offered for the evil. "Why stand ye?" asks the Master, and what are the usual replies? —

1. We have not been invited by the minister, etc. Don't wait for such invitations — offer)-our services — "I must work," etc.

2. We lack the necessary qualifications, etc.

3. We lack opportunity, etc.

4. We give money, etc. This will not be accepted by the Master as a substitute for personal service. You cannot do this work by proxy. Work for Christ is personal, and cannot be delegated to others, etc.

IV. The MOTIVES go abandon the evil.

1. The urgency of the work.

2. The activity of Satan and his emissaries.

3. The honour and pleasure of active service. Work in which the Son of Man was employed when on earth. No less happy than honourable.

4. The assurance of Divine help. May be difficulties you fear to meet, but God will strengthen and direct, etc.

5. The brevity of life's golden opportunity. Difficulty increases with delay. You will get accustomed to idleness and it will become chronic. Whether early or late in the day, begin Now.

6. The promise of reward. Present; future — in and for. "Whatsoever is right that shall ye receive." "They that turn," etc.

(Alfred Tucker.)

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KJV: And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

WEB: About the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle. He said to them, 'Why do you stand here all day idle?'