Scripture:
“Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’”
— Matthew 20:15 ESV
Observation:
This parable brings up the generosity of God. The hired laborers complained, “If we do more work we should be paid more.” Which one could argue would be what would be fair. But according to the parable the agreement was set for the day not by how much they worked.
We may forget that everything belongs to God. He can choose how to use it. God has blessed each of us in different ways, according to His will, so why do we complain and compare ourselves with others who seem to be blessed with more?
The Pharisees were in a similar position, thinking they had the market on God and blessings. They thought because they knew so much and thought they were so blessed because of their own righteousness, but when Jesus and the disciples did miracles and showed God’s power, they seethed with jealousy and ill will because they could not understand why would God bless them with power and wisdom beyond their status? Thus the last will be first and the first, last.
Application:
Sometimes we struggle to wonder why others seem to be blessed more than we are. “Why is so and so, seem to be always favored over me? Why did they get the position that I should have gotten? Why does God bless this person with things and I don’t ever get blessed that way? This is a dangerous position to be in because our heart is being led astray toward, envy and ungratefulness. We begin to question God about His Will and generosity. This slippery slope leads to dissension in the Church and we need to be quick to recognize the symptoms. We never will know the full reason why God blesses others.
We need to never let go of gratefulness. God loves it when we are thankful not only when we are blessed but when others are. When we are grateful it opens our hearts to see God’s Will and opens our eyes to see God at work in our lives and other’s lives.
Gratefulness leads to generosity for we begin to understand why God blessed us. It is not only for ourselves but for the blessing of others. If God can see that we are proper stewards of His blessings, He will see that we are ready for more because He can trust us to share His blessings with others.
Prayer:
Dear Generous and Loving God, thank you for all the blessings you have given us. Thank you for blessing us with Your one and only Son, that came and saved our souls. You have given us the ultimate gift of Your Son, through Him we are now reconciled with You! Thank you for loving us so much and blessing us with Grace, through Jesus’ sacrifice. Help us to never forget your generosity and let us know when our hearts are slipping toward ungratefulness. I love you and thank you so much, Jesus! In Your name, Jesus. Amen
