Matthew 20: 1-16 v 15 “Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?”
The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out in the morning to hire workers for his vineyards. He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work. Later on in the morning he saw others standing around without work. He agreed to pay them at the end of the day what was right. These workers felt they were fortunate to have work and worked without the knowledge of what they would be paid. He did the same thing for workers at noon and at three o clock. Finally, he hired some workers at five o clock that same day. Why did he hire workers so close to the end of the working day? Because they wanted to work, but no one had asked them. At the end of the day, he asked His foreman to pay the workers starting with those who were hired last, they received full day’s pay. Those who were hired first assumed therefore that they would be paid more. However, they were paid the full regular daily wage as they had agreed. Why? “Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?” The last will be first and the first will be last in the Kingdom of heaven.
When you do God’s work there are no big bonuses when you die for doing it longer or in harder circumstances like out in the hot sun, than anyone else. In heaven the injustices, prejudices and inequalities of this world are gone. Why? Because one of the characteristics of our God is that He is kind. The last will be first and the first will be last in the Kingdom of heaven.
For me that keeps me humble. Although frustrated sometimes about all the needs of those around us and how we can help, sharing God’s love allowing others to work for him however short in their lives should be our goal. Go out today, with whatever time you have and join Jesus in His work.
Prayer: Heavenly Father we know there are many who need to learn about you and the workers are few. Give us courage today to share your love and kindness with others. Amen.
Orange Shirt Day
Take time today to educate yourself about the effects of residential schools on the hearts and culture of the Indigenous people. As settlers seeking reconciliation look to the calls to action that came from studies through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
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