“And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day. But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” – Matthew 20: 11-16 (NKJV) The parable of the vineyard is one that speaks about grace. The ways of God are not your ways and trying to understand it may create a lot of controversies in your mind. From the passage, you would see how the mystery of God’s grace can cause the first to become the last and vice versa. But it opens up to us about how the kingdom of God works and how God operates in the affairs of men. When you understand grace form this perspective, it will help you to stop judging others or comparing yourself or your situation to theirs. It will also make you become more appreciative of all that God does for you. So, whatever camp you are in, whether in the late workers camp or the early workers camp, be thankful for God’s grace that gives you the riches of His blessings. Confession: I understand kingdom principles and have an open mind to the principles of God’s kingdom. |