Matthew 20:15 "Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?"
Divine Sovereignty.
Do we cry, Unfair! over this story. The ones who worked all day long under the sun were paid the same amount as those who came at the end of the day to labor. So what is unfair? Was anyone cheated? No.
But wait, if we are paid on the basis of what is fair to enter the kingdom, not one of us would be paid according to what we earned. Nobody comes even close to satisfying all of God's commandments, God's requirements to live a good life. So, if we base it on what's fair, then we would all wind up in hell. Besides, what do I deserve in front of a Holy God? I am unworthy of the least of all of His Mercies. LORD, have mercy!
Wondering this morning what in the world I think I deserve? One of the flaws that incites an angry fire within is entitlement, but there's a place in me that thinks I am owed returned kindness for what I offer, returned respect for acting respectful, reciprocated love for extending a hand...
ReplyDelete"Or do you begrudge my generosity" weighs heavily this morning. Mercy on this sinful heart, Lord. Reset my entitlement demands to be gratitude praises from my heart. Pastor Gregg has said often, "If Jesus never did another thing for you, it'd be more than enough."
Singing praise instead of begging prayers and demands this morning.
Rewarded for laboring in the Vineyard...
ReplyDelete"I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?' 16So the last will be first, and the first last."
Maybe it should be
Or do you begrudge my grace?
Yes, I am the laborer that came last and worked less. My wages are equal because of His Grace.
Received much, loved much.
I remember a gnawing question I had when I was raising children that no one could answer: Do we have any rights living in this world. When Bob lost his job four years ago, through much suffering I quickly found the answer to that question. Surely there should have been a host of people who could have answered me well, but I'm guessing I was too afraid to ask.
ReplyDeleteJust bought "Jesus Calling."
ReplyDeleteAnd I think I'll listen to Him. I plan on this being a one-sided conversation with my lips locked. That will be my tight-space. Lips glued. Ears open. He wants to talk to me.
And I am all ears.