S Matt 20
The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius.10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When 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? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’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
O- This is a parable to help the followers of Christ eventually understand who they are and how not to grumble about those that follow them. You see they are the first workers selected and will work their entire lives for the purpose of God and will face trials and tribulations and will receive their reward in heaven. They will bring the good news to people who have lived their whole lives without following and serving God, but have been given salvation and eternity with God in heaven, and yet had to do very little. This can and will cause a bitterness in those who have served God and lived for Him their whole lives, but Jesus is telling the disciples that can't be so with you, you will become just like the pharisee's, instead the script is flipped and the last will be first, and the first will be last to enter into the kingdom of heaven and our attitude should be one of gratefullness and the extra ordinary generosity of our Lord and savior.
A- The application for me is to understand the longer in the tooth I get as a Christian, the more my tendency will be to think like the servants that worked all day, that hey I somehow deserve more, or deserve not to face the same trials and tribulations than those who have not been following and serving Christ face. Today I face depression, trials and uncertainty in my career, struggles in my marriage, and at times a lack of confidence in my parenting. This has me grumbling and doubting what good it has done for me to follow God. Today's scripture reminds me I have received the treasure of eternity with God, and the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide me through these seasons, and that is such a phenomenal gift that there is nothing to grumble about.
P - Dear heavenly Father, I am sorry my heart has doubt about the great gift you have given me in my salvation. I face trouble and hard work today, not because of you, but can now live differently through these trials. My reward is in the eternal relationship I have gained with you. Lord I ask for help erasing the doubts and fears in me and protect me from the enemies attacking my thought life. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.
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