Matthew 20:1-16
Laborers in the Vineyard
20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
We are all equal to God and believers will receive the Kingdom of God whether they were first or last to believe. Thank Him for His grace and do not question His actions .
I totally agree with you. Amen and Praise the Lord.🙏🏻✝🙏🏻✝💜💜🙌🏻🙌🏻
God knows the needs of each person, meets them where they are, and provides for them. Thank you for your generosity and grace.
The last will be first, and the first last…
Matthew presents Jesus as King and Messiah to the Jews (first). But when rejected by the religious leaders, His ministry shifts to openly include Gentiles (last)! How grateful I am that He has made me a joint heir in the same Kingdom as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (same wage). An undeserved infinite blessing.
‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”
– Father, I know Your ways are never wrong. I agree I’m a sinner and Your salvation is what I need. Thank You, for since Jesus has paid the wages of my sin, I can live with peace and hope. Help me to share the gospel truth with everyone around me. I long for Your will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
It is such a joy in helping lost souls open their eyes to the truth… When you are used by our most merciful Lord to witness to a person who has lived a long life – and they accept Christ…that moment is a very special blessing! Their eternal destination has changed in an instance!
Thank You Father…
The “penny” paid to the workers by the householder (God) represents eternal life. It is given to all workers equally at the end of age. Following Jesus reaps rewards for today and eternity.
Our LORD is an equal opportunity OWNER. God doesn’t measure how long we’ve worked at the task HE called us to do but by the involvement in HIS service. Remember the thief on the cross? We will see him in eternity. “GOD’s Grace” every blessing is a gift.
Mighty God. Graciour God. Loving God, all knowing God, Just God and so much more to His followers no matter what stage of life they accept Him and follow Him. He will receive them with open arms just as He received those before us.
Be blessed church
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
God knows what we need both physically and spiritual.
He sees us personally and supplies our needs accordingly to his grace. Our needs are not contingent on someone else.
If we are willing to serve the Lord, no matter what age, young or old, he gives the same grace to all. There are no little grace or large grace. It’s equal grace. That’s what makes God righteous and just and faithful. He keeps his word and he is fair with us all.
So very much like we continue to be in today’s world! Such a shame to spend valuable time to compare ourselves to others. Be grateful for what Gid has given you!