20 September: Matthew 20:1-16
Key Verse: Matthew 20::10
Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage.
Devotion:
No matter how you read these verses, you feel for the poor people who had to work for the full day and they did not get any more or less than the people who only worked the last part of the day. By today's standards we would say that was unfair to all, but then we should also be looking at what agreement each of the people agreed to.
When we agree to do something for a certain wage or reward, we should try to do our best to fulfil what we have agreed to - to keep our side of the bargain. We should not be comparing ourselves to others all the time but comparing ourselves to what we have agreed to do!
When it came down to everyone getting what they had agreed to, the owner gave everyone what was agreed.
How then should we compare this to our Christian lives and the things we do for God? If we have agreed to do something for God, then we should be doing our best to fulfil what we have agreed to do. We should not expect any special rewards for payments or special treatment because we have made an agreement with God. Is that not enough?
Points to ponder:
Have you made any promises to God which you are now going back on?
Will you complete your tasks for God?