This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
We are moving to a new parable today. It is the Parable of the Workers.
(Matthew 20:1-16 ERV)
1 “God’s kingdom is like a man who owned some land. One morning, the man went out very early to hire some people to work in his vineyard.
2 He agreed to pay the workers one silver coin for working that day. Then he sent them into the vineyard to work.
3 “About nine o’clock the man went to the marketplace and saw some other people standing there. They were doing nothing.
4 So he said to them, ‘If you go and work in my field, I will pay you what your work is worth.’
5 So they went to work in the vineyard. “The man went out again about twelve o’clock and again at three o’clock. Both times he hired some others to work in his vineyard.
6 About five o’clock the man went to the marketplace again. He saw some other people standing there. He asked them, ‘Why did you stand here all day doing nothing?’
7 “They said, ‘No one gave us a job.’ “The man said to them, ‘Then you can go and work in my vineyard.’
8 “At the end of the day, the owner of the field said to the boss of all the workers, ‘Call the workers and pay them all. Start by paying the last people I hired. Then pay all of them, ending with the ones I hired first.’
9 “The workers who were hired at five o’clock came to get their pay. Each worker got one silver coin.
10 Then the workers who were hired first came to get their pay. They thought they would be paid more than the others. But each one of them also received one silver coin.
11 When they got their silver coin, they complained to the man who owned the land.
12 They said, ‘Those people were hired last and worked only one hour. But you paid them the same as us. And we worked hard all day in the hot sun.’
13 “But the man who owned the field said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am being fair with you. You agreed to work for one silver coin. Right?
14 So take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same pay I gave you.
15 I can do what I want with my own money. Why would you be jealous because I am generous?’
16 “So those who are last now will be first in the future. And those who are first now will be last in the future.”
So, what does this mean to you today? I am just introducing you to this parable. Here are three quick things.
1. Our God is Generous, Not Fair!
— God’s Grace is Unmerited: Just like the landowner in the parable, God gives us grace not based on our efforts or the time we’ve spent serving Him but purely out of His generosity.
— Favor Ain’t Fair: The owner in the parable favored the workers who showed up later in the day. The ones who came early wanted fairness, but when God favors you, it’s not about fairness. God will bless you so good that others will think it is not fair!
— Equality in God’s Kingdom: In God’s kingdom, the last can be first and the first last. This shows that God’s ways are not our ways. He values our heart’s condition over the duration or intensity of our work.
— The Challenge of Human Comparison: We often fall into the trap of comparing our journey with others. This parable teaches us to focus on what God has called us to do, not on what others are receiving or doing.
— Celebrating God’s Goodness to Others: Instead of grumbling about God’s generosity to others, we should celebrate it. Every blessing He gives is a testament to His love and grace.
2. The Invitation to the Vineyard: A Call to All.
— God’s Continuous Call: Throughout the day, the landowner kept going back to invite more workers. Similarly, God continually calls people to His kingdom, regardless of the stage in their life.
— No One is Beyond God’s Reach: The workers hired last might have felt overlooked or unworthy, but the landowner’s invitation was as genuine to them as to the first workers. This mirrors God’s heart for all humanity.
— The Joy of Being in the Vineyard: The real joy lies not in the wages but in being part of the work in the vineyard. Our joy comes from serving in God’s kingdom and being part of His divine plan.
— Responding to God’s Call: It’s never too late to respond to God’s call. Whether early or late in life, the important thing is answering His invitation.
3. The Reward of the Kingdom: Equal in God’s Eyes.
— God’s Reward System: The parable shows that God’s reward system is different from the world’s. He rewards based on His grace and the condition of our hearts, not our earthly achievements or status.
— Equality Before God: In God’s eyes, we are all equal. Whether a lifelong believer or a latecomer to faith, we all receive the same grace and love from our Heavenly Father.
— The Danger of Entitlement: The workers hired first felt entitled to more, but entitlement can blind us to the blessings we already have. We must guard our hearts against a spirit of entitlement and instead embrace a spirit of gratitude.
— You Cannot Work For Grace: Paul explained that if we work for grace, then grace is no longer grace. Grace is a gift, and you cannot work for a gift. All you can do with a gift is receive it.
— Embracing God’s Sovereignty: The landowner’s response, “I can do what I want with my own money,” reminds us to trust in God’s sovereignty and His decisions. He knows what is best and fair in the grand scheme of His kingdom.
I will close with this and talk more about it tomorrow: “Don’t get mad at God for being good!“
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me! I boldly declare:
I acknowledge that Your ways are higher than mine, and Your wisdom surpasses all understanding.
Today, I embrace the lessons of the Parable of the Workers, recognizing that in Your kingdom, the last can be first, and the first can be last.
I declare that I will not fall into the trap of comparison or entitlement. Instead, I choose to celebrate Your goodness in my life and in the lives of others.
I am grateful for the invitation to work in Your vineyard, understanding that the true joy lies in serving You and being part of Your divine plan.
Lord, I commit to responding to Your call with eagerness, whether I am the first or the last to join in Your work.
I trust in Your equitable and gracious nature, knowing that You reward each of us not based on our earthly achievements or status but according to Your grace and love.
I renounce any feelings of jealousy, entitlement, or bitterness. Instead, I choose to embrace a spirit of gratitude, celebrating Your sovereignty and the unique way You work in each of our lives.
I am thankful for Your love and grace towards all Your children.
I enter this day with the assurance that You love me and what You have for me is for me!
Living this way, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
