15Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
16"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
- P35
8"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’
9"The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius.
10So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius.
11When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.
12‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.
13"But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius?
14Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you.
- P35
Jesus uses the parable of a landowner and his vineyard to explain principles and values of the kingdom of heaven. In the parable, a landowner hires workers at different times of the day, but when he gives their wages, he starts with the last ones hired and gives them the same amount he agreed to give the first ones. Those who were hired earlier compare themselves with the others and grumble. - P36
Comparison often tempts us to become proud or to complain against God. However, we must remember that God uses wisdom in both His calling and what He gives those He calls. Rather than compare ourselves with others, we should rejoice in the work we can do for God’s kingdom and in the fact that none of it is in vain. - P36
The first workers accuse the landowner of being unfair. The landownerreminds them that he them thegaveand that hewages they agreed upon,
has the right to be generous with his own money. Sometimes, what theworld perceives as unfair is not how God views the situation. We must notconfuse God‘s generosity with injustice or unfairness. He does not rewardsolely based on skills or length of time in His service. - P36
God often elevatesthose who are seen as least important in the eyes of the world. Whateverour skills or abilities, may we not be concerned with the worldly concernsof rank or status. Instead, let us consider what is important to God. - P36
Dear God, thank You for the privilege of serving You and Your people. When I am tempted to compare myself with others, help me to see from Your kingdom’s perspective rather than from the values of this world. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P37
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