He didn't make assumptions: Now, I've already acknowledged this guy's persistence. He goes back to the market FIVE times to find those in need of a job. The fifth time he goes, there's only an hour left in the workday. Surely, he's surprised that there are STILL folks standing around without a job for the day.
Me... I would've looked at those men, judged them to be lazy and assumed they didn't want to work. I know that's what I would do because I've done it so many times. Homeless folks, folks begging on the street... these people CHOOSE to beg. That's why I can avoid eye contact with them and pass them by with only a twinge of guilt.
The truth is that I've actually met and gotten to know some of these same people. And, yes, SOME of them do indeed choose to beg on the street, some of them are actually lazy, and some of them will steal from you if given any opportunity. But not ALL of them. Some of them have been looking for a job for months, some of them are embarrassed to be accepting a handout, some of them have horrible health issues that prevent them from keeping a job. And some of them actually have a job - or two - but still can't afford to feed and clothe their family because minimum wage can't possibly provide all they need.
The Landowner didn't assume that the needy were lazy. You know what he did? He ASKED. There were people standing around without work, and he didn't know why, so he asked. He simply struck up a conversation and asked. Genius. He didn't ask with judgment in his tone or skepticism in his voice. He asked out of a genuine desire to know the answer and to do something about it if he could.
Asking instead of assuming.... hmmm. Maybe I'll be brave enough to give that a try...
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