The generosity of God. Scripture, reflection and praise.

Matthew 20:1-16 NIV

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ “ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
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Reflection. 

This passage is both a beautiful statement about the extraordinary generosity of God, and our ability to take offence when others are blessed. I have even heard Christians say of a church that was growing, 'they must be watering down the Gospel.' And, of course, in Jesus things are often turned upside-down. So, to those who sometimes say, 'second is the first loser,' they might need to reflect on the last phrase. In Christ, those at the back of the queue will find themselves promoted to first place, and equally blessed. 

Prayers. 

Lord Jesus, pleased help me to recognise all the more how generous you are. Help me to rejoice in your amazing love. Oh God, you are better than good. Amen, amen, amen.