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Day 56 Matthew 20:1 Matthew 20:1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and said unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard said unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. People enter into contracts and agreements every day. Those agreements lay out the terms between the two parties so each knows what to expect of the other. Employment is one such agreement made between a company and the people who work for it. Or between one individual and another for services rendered. Somehow, the person hired hopes to get more than they agreed on, such as bonuses for a job well done, or going above and beyond the stated terms of the agreement. Yet, when payday comes, they receive exactly what they agreed on. Jesus told a parable about a landowner who needed workers for his vineyard. The landowner went out several times a day and hired people looking for work, and all agreed to the same wage. Yet, there was grumbling and complaining when those hired first got the same amount as those hired last, exactly what they agreed on. As Christians, you know this parable deals with the work you do for the kingdom of God. Some people accept Jesus as Savior and Lord early in life and give their all for the kingdom their whole lives. An example of that would be Billy Graham who started his ministry in his teens and preached to the world. Then there are those who accept Jesus as Savior and Lord on their death bed – the eleventh hour. Salvation is the same, no matter when you receive it. There is just as much joy in heaven for the person who served God their entire lives as there is for the person who accepted him before his last breath. You cannot have more salvation than the next person. It’s impossible. When you accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, your salvation was secure. Jesus is the Landowner. He is the one who gives salvation to everyone who accepts him. Have you accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord? Let’s pray: Father, help me be grateful for what you have given me in this life as I serve you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let me not be jealous over someone who accepts you later in their life, because their salvation is the same as mine. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 14 June 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay