Chapter 20
1”For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the
morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. 2He agreed to pay them a denarius
for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3”About the third hour he went
out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4He told them,
‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5So
they went. “He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and
did the same thing. 6About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others
standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long
doing nothing?’ 7” ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to
them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ 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 the eleventh hour 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 men 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, ‘Friend, I am not
being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and
go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 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.”
Reflection:
1. This story troubles many. It seems obvious that the owner of the vineyard
wasn’t being “fair”. Jesus is saying that some people want to put relationship
with God on a work-for-hire basis. And these folks often assume they’ll be
rewarded for being so busy.
2. Relationship with God is based on His generosity (v15), His grace, and not
our works. We don’t advance spiritually by being busy.
3. Am I becoming so caught up in doing things for God that I forget to simply
love Him? Do I forget to stop, listen to people, and try to respond to their
needs? Am I actually drying up spiritually but still spending my energies in
an unproductive way? What is God telling me?
Personal Note:
3. I am feeling that there are so many things to be caught up with: leading people through various meeting, planning, preparing for lessons, admin work, calling/contacting people, training, teaching, being there when someone is in need, etc. After being more involved and learning about the lives of other more "seasoned" leaders, I realized how much work and sacrifice they put in for the purpose of growing brothers and sisters in faith.
It seems that the people who began to work early and in the middle of the day got an unfair deal, while the people who worked an hour got a sweet deal. As everyone receives the same pay. I would see myself as people who got hired in the middle of the day. I felt that I have stand around doing nothing productive for a significant portion of my life, I came to Christ when I was 23. I have mixed feelings sometimes. At some moments, I feel like I am like those Pharisees judging young/lukewarm believers complaining why God is so gracious to them. At other moments, I feel like I got a sweet deal of grace from God.
I wonder why the last will be first, and the first will be last? God is calling me not to think of myself as someone who has made it and advance in faith. I am not to work and work and work to please God. I am reminded that I am to simply love God. From the love and intimacy with God, leading/serving other people would be a blessing to others and myself.
PS: Between standing in the market place with nothing to do and working in the vineyard with God as the owner, I gave thanks to God for the opportunity to work with meaning and significance.
No comments:
Post a Comment