GOD IS
GOD PT. 3
TEXT: Matthew
20:6-16 (KJV)
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
A careful
study of our text will reveal to you that anger and envy does not allow any man
to maximize opportunities. If these fellows who felt they were given an unfair
treatment were wise they would have taken time to first consider the condition
and agreement behind their engagement on the job. If they did they would have
approached the issue differently. They
would have seen the need to start by appreciating the man for hiring them from
idleness and for giving them the opportunity to make some money for that day.
Then they would have gone ahead to thank him for paying them as they bargained.
After this it could have been wise for them to acknowledge the generosity of
the man and his willingness to help others before they go on to plead with him
to consider them for some increment since they were the ones who bore most of
the burden of the work. From the man’s statement in verse 15 it is obvious that
he could have granted their request because he has the right to do whatever he
wants with his money. But an arrogant confrontation will not only offend him,
it will make him avoid such disgruntled fellows in the future. The same applies
in our relationship with God. If we want life to be blissful then we must stop
speaking and acting as though God is depending on us to succeed. Thank the Lord
for his love and mercies as you serve him with gratitude today and always.
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