Jesus tells a story about the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 20. In this parable Jesus uses a landowner, a foreman and several workers to teach us about his kingdom. I love the story because it teaches so much about the landowner. Things like he is the one who is in control. He is the one who takes steps to invite others to join him in his labors. He searches out others to join him. He even invites others to join him with only a few hours to go in the work day. He agrees to compensate those who join him with fairness. He speaks truth to those who join him, even when his workers drift into selfishness and untruth. He is generous.
The workers don’t “deserve” to work for the landowner. The workers had a streak of selfishness. The workers chose not to celebrate when others were blessed even though they were being treated with fairness.
And yet the landowner extended and they received grace and their lives were changed that day, if only for that day.
May I learn to celebrate when others are being blessed. May I learn to practice gratitude rather than grumbling.
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