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'"Those... hired last... you paid... the same as... us."' Matthew 20:12
Imagine this: you're in Year 11 and you receive the latest iPod from your head teacher: 'My way of saying thank you for working on your education these last five years!' the head says. Mint or what? But then you realise the head has given the same to Year 10, 9, 8 and even the new kids on the block, Year 7.
All of a sudden you feel you deserve more, want more, and you march right back up the corridor to give that head a piece of your mind: 'Five years at this school and this is all I get - the same as Year 7! That's not fair!' But the head just replies, 'You agreed it was a good gift when I first gave it you and besides, it's my money - I can do with it what I like. It's up to you how you choose to accept what I've given you.'
Now you're beginning to understand those guys in Jesus' parable who said, 'Hey! Those guys you hired last got paid the same as us!' They didn't think it was fair either. But Jesus gives us this parable to remind us that He is generous to all - it's not for us to tell God how to do His job.
And if there's a chip on your shoulder, thinking you deserve more than others, you need to knock it off. Be thankful for what God has given you - it's amazing you receive the same amount of love, grace and forgiveness as everyone else.
written by Bob Gass
'"Those... hired last... you paid... the same as... us."' Matthew 20:12
Imagine this: you're in Year 11 and you receive the latest iPod from your head teacher: 'My way of saying thank you for working on your education these last five years!' the head says. Mint or what? But then you realise the head has given the same to Year 10, 9, 8 and even the new kids on the block, Year 7.
All of a sudden you feel you deserve more, want more, and you march right back up the corridor to give that head a piece of your mind: 'Five years at this school and this is all I get - the same as Year 7! That's not fair!' But the head just replies, 'You agreed it was a good gift when I first gave it you and besides, it's my money - I can do with it what I like. It's up to you how you choose to accept what I've given you.'
Now you're beginning to understand those guys in Jesus' parable who said, 'Hey! Those guys you hired last got paid the same as us!' They didn't think it was fair either. But Jesus gives us this parable to remind us that He is generous to all - it's not for us to tell God how to do His job.
And if there's a chip on your shoulder, thinking you deserve more than others, you need to knock it off. Be thankful for what God has given you - it's amazing you receive the same amount of love, grace and forgiveness as everyone else.
written by Bob Gass
