Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture this week is Matthew 21:21-32.

Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’  But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.”

The religious leaders have questions for Jesus regarding His authority. They ignore what He is doing for people and ask “who gave you permission to do these things?” Are we sometimes more concerned with “who said you could do this” and less with what is being accomplished?

God has blessed us to be a blessing to others in whatever ways we can. However, it seems that we sometimes face a choice between doing good and doing right according to human law. God’s law would never require such a choice, because good and right should always be in agreement. Notice that it doesn’t prevent the good and right thing from sometimes being a hard thing!

Jesus makes us think about such questions. He wants us to understand the call placed on our lives to care for one another. God has given us the means and the responsibility to love our brothers and sisters as He first loved us.

Gracious God, we are grateful for Your many gifts. Help us to use them in ways that benefit all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 20:1-16.

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.

Unlike earthly resources, God’s gifts for us are unlimited. We often operate from a mindset of scarcity, worried that what we have will run out. God’s love and blessings for us aren’t bound by amounts, and He is always willing to provide the resources needed to accomplish His kingdom goals.

Our problem is seeing these as given to us. In fact our gifts are intended for others, to be used as part of God’s plan and not for our enjoyment or enrichment. It is by passing on these blessings that we are truly blessed.

Think of the power given to Jesus – did He ever use it for Himself? No, it was only for us that Jesus expended Himself, using all the gifts He was given to heal and save us. Our call is no different, to do God’s will by loving and sharing with others. That is the true use of all our gifts.

Gracious God, we have been so richly blessed, yet we have often held back what we have been given. Help us to use all Your gifts to us for their best purpose. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 20:1-16.

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.

In this lesson, the landowner says “I am not being unfair to you”. His agreement with the workers was to pay them a sum for the day’s labor. The problem occurs when they see others receive the same sum for less work and they feel cheated because of it.

In the story of the Prodigal Son we see a similar lesson. The elder son is upset that his father forgives and restores the wayward son to his place in the family. He feels that is unfair to him, having been there and worked the whole time.

Our problem with this is that we view it in terms of compensation – it’s not! God isn’t paying us for anything we’ve done. It’s the blessing of salvation that we can’t possibly earn and it can’t be divided or multiplied. We can’t be saved any more or any less!

Loving Lord, our understanding is incomplete and we often jump to the wrong conclusions. Help us to see that Your love and justice are given equally to all of us, no matter who we are. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 20:1-16.

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.

The workers in this story illustrate an earthly understanding that those who work more should expect to earn more. Jesus wants us to see that there is nothing we can do to earn our way to salvation at all. It is only through God’s forgiveness and the gift of His love that we may be saved.

The work we do is a response to His love, not a means of attaining it. If we believe we can work our way into heaven we are missing the point of our call – a relationship with God through Jesus. When we try to do it on our own, we will never be successful.

God blesses us and calls us into connection in order to change our feeling of working for ourselves and our own good into a life of service to Him and others. With this gift we see the need for our work in the world and go in His name rather than for our gain or satisfaction. God has work for each one of us according to His plan and direction.

Gracious God, we know our weakness and that without You our efforts are futile. Help us to hear Your guidance and follow the path You have set for us. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 20:1-16.

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.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Exodus 20:17). This is the Tenth Commandment, part of the Law given to the children of Israel after their release from Egypt, and it is an important point for us to learn. We see the effects of jealousy in this lesson, and it can corrupt human thoughts and actions.

While the workers all received the same payment, some didn’t have to work as long as others to receive it. In human terms, this may seem unfair, but when we look at salvation, it is a completely different matter. Consider the thief crucified with Christ who asks Jesus to remember him when He comes into His kingdom. Jesus replies “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43). Jesus promised that all who claim Him as Lord and savior can have eternal life.

Jesus didn’t compare this man’s “works” with those of the disciples or anyone else. His love for us isn’t like that. We may be wayward family members but when we confess He is the Messiah, we can be redeemed to eternal life no matter what has gone before. Turning to Him in repentance is the only way we can be saved.

Gracious God, in Your love You sent Jesus for our salvation. Help us to accept the blessing of forgiveness and live new lives through Your mercy. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 20:1-16.

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.

This parable speaks of workers being hired at different times, an illustration that we did not all come to faith at the same time. However, as we learn from the lesson, God treats us all the same. Just as the landowner was pleased to give each worker the same payment, God has the same blessing for us.

Jesus warned the disciples many times that our faith has no hierarchy, that there is no ranking among His followers. Instead He taught “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35). This is the paradox that we face and it doesn’t fit with our “success at any cost” human thinking.

That’s just the point – Jesus came to change our thinking, our hearts, our minds and our lives. He wants us to see a better way of living, in relationship with God and each other. When we think of caring for our brothers and sisters rather than gain for ourselves, we are truly following Jesus.

Loving Lord, we are often self-centered and greedy, concerned with our needs and not those of others. Help us to be more loving to those around us, caring for them as You would. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 20:1-16.

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.

Were you ever part of a group project where one or a few did most of the work, but everyone got the same grade? This story made me think of that and how I felt. It didn’t seem fair that those who did the work weren’t better rewarded.

The key here is “better rewarded”. In human systems and economies that is possible, but in the kingdom of heaven Jesus is teaching about there is no greater reward than being saved to spend eternity in communion with God the Father. Nothing can surpass the joy we will know.

While we see things in earthly terms now, we are told that there will be “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1) and the things we thought were so important once won’t matter anymore. We will all be gathered together in God’s love as His children and who did what or earned what will be of no consequence. In the kingdom of heaven we will all be truly happy just to be together with the Lord.

Gracious God, we are a contentious people, always looking at what others have and not satisfied with what is ours. Help us to see that all this is temporary and focus on what matters most – our relationship with You. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 20:1-16.

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.

In this lesson, sometimes called the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, Jesus teaches us about our relationship to each other in the kingdom of God. We did not all begin our journey with Christ at the same time, from the same place or the same point in our lives. However, in His eyes, we are all the same.

Because He sees us as equals, we are all under the same expectations as His workers in the field. We have been called to share His love and the blessing of salvation with others through the gifts we have been given. Each is expected to follow the commandments to love God, love neighbor and make disciples.

However, Jesus also recognizes us as individuals, distinctly gifted for our work in the kingdom and called for a purpose. While we have a single, common goal to strive for, Jesus knows and loves each of us individually. He teaches us to work together but to love each other as unique individuals.

Wise and wonderful God, You have created us to be Your people, bound by a desire to be useful in Your kingdom. Help us to see each other as fellow workers with diverse gifts needed to reach all people for You. Amen.