So Little Time

By John R. Rice

Lyrics

1. So little time! The harvest will be over,
Our reaping done, we reapers taken home;
Report our work to Jesus, Lord of harvest,
And hope to share the glory of the crown.

Chorus
Today we reap, or miss our golden harvest!
Today is given us lost souls to win.
Oh, then to save some dear ones from the burning,
Today we'll go to bring some sinner in.

2. How many times I should have strongly pleaded,
How often did I feel too much to care;
And in the name of Christ, I should have spoken,
But I feared the loss of friends or of the share.

3. The harvest white with reapers few is wasting,
And many souls will die and never know
The love of Christ, the joy of sins forgiven;
Oh, let us weep and love and go and tell.

Bible Reference

Matthew 9:37–38

About This Hymn

“So Little Time” is a stirring hymn by evangelist John R. Rice that emphasizes the urgency of soul-winning and the fleeting opportunity to reach the lost. Its central theme is that the harvest of souls is ready, but time is short, and laborers must act quickly to lead sinners to Christ. The hymn encourages believers to take immediate action, speak boldly for Jesus, and not delay in sharing the Gospel with the unsaved.

Rice’s lyrics are heartfelt and passionate, reflecting the evangelistic urgency of revival campaigns in which he personally preached. The refrain, “Today we reap, or miss our golden harvest,” serves as a repeated call to diligence, reminding the believer that each day is a sacred opportunity to win souls for Christ. The hymn also addresses the fear or hesitation that sometimes holds Christians back, urging them to trust God and act boldly.

Used widely in revival meetings and church services focused on evangelism, “So Little Time” remains a powerful reminder that life is brief and the work of salvation urgent. Its melody and message work together to motivate believers to faithfully labor while there is still time, making it a classic in John R. Rice’s hymn collection and a timeless call to evangelistic service.