An abundant measure

‘They took their money and started grumbling against the employer. “These men who were hired last worked only one hour;’ they said, “while we put up with a whole day’s work in the hot sun – yet you paid them the same as you paid us!” “Listen, friend,” the owner answered one of them, “I have not cheated you. After all, you agreed to do a day’s work for one silver coin. Now take your pay and go home. I want to give this man who was hired last as much as I have given you. Don’t I have the right to do as I wish with my own money? Or are you jealous because I am generous?”‘

And Jesus concluded, ‘So those who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last.’
(verses 11-14)

Read Matthew 20:1-16

I relate to the grumbling workers. I’m exceptionally good at finding reasons to say, ‘It’s not fair!’ Someone else is always better off than me. My question is more likely to be, ‘Do I have everything I deserve?’ rather than, ‘Do I have everything I need?’

The vineyard owner knew the needs of all his workers . Those who worked fewer hours equally needed to provide their families with food, other kinds of care and a place to shelter for the night. The vineyard owner’s way of operating was not to compare workers with each other but to see each worker as uniquely in need of the means to live.

You might come before God jostling others to be at the front of the line or feeling elbowed to the rear. God looks at you without comparing you with others, knowing what you need and providing it abundantly. None of us have earned it, and yet God comes to you at the end of the day and calls you ‘friend’ .

Friend of the grumpy, grant me a thankful heart. Help me to stay focused on you and not to compare myself with other people. Amen.

by Clare Schulz, in ‘Assurances for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2004)

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