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Is God fair? What do you think?
Is God fair?  What do you think?
January 29, 2016
Matthew 20:15
Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?
New International Version (NIV)
                  Is God fair?  What do you think?  Jesus told an unusual parable about an employer who went out to hire workers for his vineyard.  He paid the employees a denarius a day.  As the day went on, he continued to hire workers.  Some worked a full day, others only for a little while.  When the last workers were paid a full day’s wage, the workers who spent the full day imagined they would be paid more.  But they were given what they were promised.
                Jesus addresses the same crowd that heard the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  The religious leaders prided themselves in having always done the “right thing.”  They resented the thought that prostitutes and tax collectors could receive relationship with God after years of disobedience.  Jesus nips this thought in the bud.  God has the right to be generous and gracious as he chooses.  We must guard ourselves against envy.
                Inventory time:  do we ever see others who have wandered from God and think less of them?  Would we expect to deserve more if God chose to reach into their lives and save them?  God is immeasurably gracious when he saves any one of us.  His grace is good news for sinners. . . for all sinners . . . for us, who also sin.  Receive his grace, but never resent it when he gives it to others.  
Pray with me:  
Father, restore the wonder we felt when we first realized that you forgive us and want relationship with us.  Help us to rejoice in what you are doing for others as well.  Thank you for the promise of salvation today.  We receive it with gratitude for your grace.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.  
Scripture reading for today: 
Matthew 20

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