The first four disciples felt they were entitled to a bit more than the others. After all, they were chosen first. (Matthew 4) They’d been with Jesus longer. They knew him better than those late comers.
Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”(Matthew 19:27, NIV)
Jesus answers by telling the story of the land owners. (Matthew 20) You’ll remember that the landowner sent out workers early in the morning, at nine a.m., again at noon and then at three p.m.
“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius (Matthew 20:8, 10, NIV)
Are we spending our time looking at siblings or co-workers who get more than we do?
“But he (Jesus) answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ “So the last will be first, and the first will be last. (Matthew 20, 13-16, NIV)
Prayer – Lord help us keep our eyes on our personal relationship with you, not on what others get or have. Amen
Be First to Comment