Matthew 19-20, Psalm 90
Matthew 20:14-16 (NLT)
“‘Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’ ‘So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.’”
In Matthew 20:14–16, Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard. The landowner hired people to work in his vineyard at different times during the day, and when they were all being paid, the workers hired first were offended that the same wage was given to the workers who were hired last. The vineyard owner reminded them that they had agreed to work for the wage they received. He rebuked them for being envious of his generosity and reminded them that he had the right to do what he wanted with his own money. Christ then says, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
I've always found these verses hard to understand because it never seemed fair that the workers hired first didn't receive more money. But the landowner never promised to pay them anything more than the normal wage for their work. They received exactly what they had agreed upon. The workers who complained were envious because the landowner chose to be generous to those who came later. The parable shows me something about the character of Father-God: His generosity is not limited by my human ideas about who deserves more. The Lord desires to save everyone and will not deny salvation to someone simply because that person comes to faith later in life.
These verses also remind me that grace and salvation are gifts from the Lord and cannot be earned by merit or effort. The Old and New Testaments are filled with examples of Father-God elevating those who were considered last or humble and using them to accomplish His plans. I cannot determine with my human understanding what plans the Lord has for other people or how He will use them. I know that I need to trust the Lord and align myself with His plan for my life because of the faithfulness I have seen throughout the Bible.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One whose grace and gift of salvation are available to all who come to Him in faith—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
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