Scripture

“Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?”

Observation

Jesus tells a parable about a landowner who needs to hire workers for his vineyard. He goes out at dawn, 9 o’clock, noon, and again at 5 o’clock. He tells the workers at each stage he will pay them what is fair.

After sunset, he calls the workers and pays them all exactly the same amount- a full day’s wage. Those who were employed first argued with this. The landowner points out that they had agreed to work for the usual wage. If he paid the latecomers the same amount they were not cheated in any way.

Application

Everyone who labours in the Father’s vineyard gets the same reward regardless of how long they serve Him. We all get eternal life whether we are born christian, so to speak, or whether we meet Jesus minutes before we die.

To complain that one person does it very easy while another does not is to miss the whole point. We get to live forever with our Father.

We do not serve the Lord for a pay cheque. We serve Him in love.

Jacob served Laban for seven years to get Leah, whom he did not want, and another seven to get Rachel. He effectively worked 14 years for Rachel his beloved and not a day for Leah. Which did he love more?

The idea of working and receiving payment is the opposite of grace. Yet some people cannot help but think this way. “If I do this for God, He will save me.” They fail to see hat the price has been paid and our salvation does not depend on what we do for God.

Prayer

Thank you Father for the promise of heaven. I don’t have to do anything to earn your favour because you already love me. Hallelujah!