So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.
This past Sabbath I was reading through Matthew 20:1-16. It’s the parable about the landowner who was hiring people to work in his vineyard. He went out for the first time and talked to a few people who agreed to work for him for 1 denarius for the day. As the parable goes, the landowner went out four more times during the day and each time offered more people to go into his vineyard and work. These other times the workers knew not what they would be paid. The landowner simply said, “whatever is right I will give you”.
At the end of the day, the landowner had everyone line up with the ones who started last getting paid first all the way back with the ones who were hired first getting paid last. The story goes that each was paid 1 denarius. Of course, the ones hired first thought they should be paid more than the ones hired last. They were not happy when they discovered they would all be paid the same. There is so much to pull out of this parable.
This really spoke to me about this past week. I had a battle going on in my mind. There was a situation that came up at work that I felt just wasn’t “fair”. I couldn’t understand how this other person could be allowed to get away with some of the things I saw them doing. I still don’t feel it’s right as I don’t feel it follows what Jesus would have us do, however, I also started battling inside about the fact that regardless of what this other person was doing, I needed to do the right thing. I needed to be last. I also needed to give grace.
Sometimes we see or hear things that we don’t feel are fair or right. We are quick to criticize and be upset. I believe we should take the high road. We need to do the best we can to be like Jesus. It’s hard for us but if we ask, He will help us through. The Lord knows “whatever is right” and He will give it. Don’t fall into the trap of being disgruntled. Look to Him and know He will give you all the very best when He returns. He will give it to us all. Praise God!