Scripture
VS 1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house …
Vs 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
Vs 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle … 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’
Vs 5 Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same.
Vs 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. … He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’
Vs 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages ..
Vs 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius.
Vs 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius.
Vs 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house
Vs 15 Am I (the Master) not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’
Observation
Jesus tells another parable of the kingdom of heaven.
He compares God’s kingdom to a field and God to the master.
God determines what each would receive.
The workers willingly accepted the offer from the master.
Yet, the “early” people still “grumbled” when they received what they agreed to.
Application
God makes the rules in God’s kingdom!
I want to make my life about my “kingdom”.
And I want to make my rules in my kingdom.
What’s more, in my “kingdom”, I can boil it down to “resource management”, or “stuff”.
In other words … “What do I get for what I do?” … “I want what I want!”
And a “worldly” kingdom can so often become about who makes the money.
But God’s kingdom is about who makes the rules.
God makes the rules. … It’s been that way from the garden.
But I want to make the rules. … It’s also been that way from the garden.
So why can’t I be content with what God has granted me?
Because I think maybe He’s holding out on me … I deserve something more.
And I especially deserve something more when I compare myself to others!
I just pick who I want to compare myself to …. The “late” workers!
I compare myself to the most recent to the Kingdom.
But comparison is a trap … a trap that leads to “grumbling” … every time!
Since my kids were very little, we’ve had a household mantra … “Compare and Despair”
When you compare you despair. … I need to remind myelf.
In the kingdom of God, however, how could I ever “grumble”, or despair?!
I’ve been granted access to the Kingdom … and to the King!
In fact, Jesus says it is the Father’s great pleasure to give me the Kingdom!
And with a proper understanding of what that is, I should celebrate for others to receive the exact same as I have!
Grumbling is of a worldly kingdom.
Celebration is of God’s kingdom.
Prayer
Thank you again for your Word, God
And thank you for entrance to your kingdom
And a welcome to yourself the King
Help me Holy Spirit to celebrate other
And to cease my grumbling
In Jesus name
Amen