Workers in the Vineyard – Be Led!

Workers in the Vineyard

In today’s text I read:

Matt 20:13 But he answered one of them, Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this man hired last the same as I give to you.
15 Am I not permitted to do what I choose with what is mine? [Or do you begrudge my being generous?] Is your eye evil because I am good?
16 So those who [now] are last will be first [then], and those who [now] are first will be last [then]. [d]For many are called, but few chosen.

Four things I see in this that are helpful to me:

1. Every man cuts his own deal. Job and financial opportunities come to us all the time, we decide what we are worth. Certain positions only pay certain amounts, and some money is always better than no money, but we should be looking to be in the right field, working for the right Master, that values us and rewards us well for our efforts. If we are self employed, Jesus is our direct Master, and we need to be diligently seeking Him for His direction, promotion, provision, favor and means of maximizing our effort for maximum result.

2. The opportunity offered was open to many, but only a few even showed up at the place of service.

3. The pay was no based upon longevity, faithfulness, or service, but only upon the generosity of the Master. Our income can radically increase when we obey Jesus. Availability trumps ability. Obedience is better than sacrifice and hard work.

4. Only a few may make the grade. Luke 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. Read this parable carefully. Ten servants were called, only three showed up to give a report of their stewardship. The one who buried his talent, lost it, which means that only two out of ten servants, were ever heard from in Scripture again. Eight disqualified themselves! It is imperative that we not only hear the voice of Jesus, but that we obey quickly, and give it everything we’ve got!

What is He saying to You, today? How can we maximize our effectiveness for the King today?

Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, life is busy, with many opportunities to work, grow, learn, and move forward. Help us to fully obey you, that we might maximize our eternal impact today, and every day. We ask, knowing we are heard and answered, for we ask in Your name Lord Jesus, Amen’

Corners…

Corners…

Lev 19:9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God.

Truth is, we need to care for the poor, and not be so tight with our stuff that the homeless, the orphan, the broken cannot survive. We are supposed to love like Jesus…

Seems to work in ministry too. As God raises us up into mighty harvesting works in the earth, let us not forget the suffering sacrificial shepherds who minister to the one or two or few, that we honestly do not have time for. I think of the lonely servants of the Lord who work in elderly care facilities, mentally and physically handicapped facility with special needs folks, who gently love deeply God’s children, unnoticed, and unrecognized in the eyes of many people. Yet, never out of the intense gaze and love of Jesus…those of whom the world is not worthy.

I heard a wise minister once say: If you want to increase the size of your fields, if you want to prosper God’s way, first increase the size of your corners….

Psalm 41:1

Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.

Have you ever considered this thought: ‘Eternity is real. In light of eternity, have you considered that sacrificially loving people that society deems useless, makes headlines in heaven, and brings much glory to Jesus – for God is love!”

Lets lift up a cry for the corners:

“Father, in all the sowing, reaping, work, harvesting, in life, ministry, business, and family, I determine to be generous with those less fortunate than me. May I make my corners large, that I might be like Job 29:12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. Pappa God, I lift up my voice for your sacrificial servants today, those caregivers who faithfully love and tend to your broken, battered and bruised today, often far from the public eye, yet making headlines in heaven. Meet with them today. Encourage, supply, support, bless, and radically love on them today, for your name and the sake of your glory, Amen”