Day 20 - Vineyard Workers

Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus spoke of the parable of the vineyard workers. A landowner came and hired men early in the morning to work in his vineyard. He offered them one denarius for their work, and away they went to work. Later on he found more people and he offered them the same pay for working. He sent those away to work. A few hours later he went out and found more people willing to work. He offered them the same wages, and sent them to work. He repeated this again a few hours later. When evening came, he paid each of the men one denarius. Those who were hired first expected more, and complained to the owner. The owner told them that it was his money, and he had a right to pay what he wanted. He gave the workers what he promised, and in that he kept up his part of the bargain. The portion of scripture ends with: "So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Often we think that we deserve more, just because we work harder then anybody else ever does. At church if we put in more hours working, for example, in the nursery, we expect to get more recognition then someone who has only worked 2 hours in the nursery. Life is not all about "fairness." Rather life is about sacrifice and about doing what is expected of you. Those who are selfless and do what is asked of them will receive the most in the kingdom of God. They are ones who put their lives on the line, and will do anything to further God's kingdom. Those who stand back and expect everything to go their way will end up suffering and getting hurt, because life does not end the way we always want it to.

God, help me to be selfless and know that those who are first will be last, and those who are last will be first. Help me to put others first, and to surrender my life to you. Help me focus less on "what is fair" and instead focus on giving You the glory in everything I do. Amen.