 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
More Matthew commentaries
Matthew 17:1-13
The Transfiguration
Matthew 17:14-23
Healing of the Epileptic Son
Matthew 17:24-27
Jesus Pays the Temple Tax
Matthew 18:1-9
The Need for Humility
Matthew 18:10-14
New Babes in Christ
Matthew 18:15-20
Steps to Church Discipline
Matthew 19:1-8
Is Devorce Permisable?
Matthew 19:9-15
Divorce and Adultery
Matthew 19:16-30
The Rich Young Ruler
Matthew 20:1-16
A Right Attitude in Service
Matthew 20:29-34
The Two Blind Men
Matthew 21:1-17
Jesus’ Public Demonstration
Matthew 21:18-22
The Fuitless Fig Tree
Matthew 21:23-32
The Parable of the Two Sons
Matthew 21:33-46
The Cruel Vineyard Tenants
Matthew 22:1-14
The Banquet Invitation
Matthew 22:15-22
Bombarded With Tricky Questions
Matthew 22:23-33
Is There Marriage in Heaven?
Matthew 22:34-46
The Greatest Commandment
Matthew 23:1-12
The Pharisaical Religion
© Family Times | About Us | Donate | Contact Us
Search for sermons by: Commentaries | Scripture search | Topics
A Right Attitude in Service
Matthew 20:1–16
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
General Charles G. Gordon was an outstanding man of God. When the English government wanted to reward him for his distinguished service in China, he declined all money and titles. Finally, after much arguing, he accepted a gold medal inscribed with his name and a record of his ac … More
At the end of the day the vineyard owner paid the workers all the same wage (vv. 8-10). When those who were hired in the morning found out those who were hired later in the day received the same amount of money as they did, they complained (vv. 11-12). Actually they had no argument, because they had agreed to work for a penny and they received what they asked for (vv. 13-15).
The lesson for Christ’s disciples is obvious (v. 16). We should not serve Him because we want to receive an expected reward, and we should not insist on knowing what we will get. God is generous and gracious and will always give us better then we deserve. This parable had nothing to do with salvation, for nobody works for his salvation. Nor is the parable talking about rewards, for we are not all going to receive the same reward (I Cor. 3:8). It is emphasizing a right attitude in service.
Application
When I live a good clean moral life, should it bother me when those who don’t get the same benefits as I do in this life? I need to remember that God is the one before whom all accounts will be settled.
Matthew 20:1-16 (English Standard Version)
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.' And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?' So the last will be first, and the first last."
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
Post your comment or question below.