Sunday, March 6, 2016

Grumbling Over Grace





     I didn't really plan on posting a blog today, but God placed it on my heart to post this after hearing this message at church this morning. The service was called "Grumbling Over Grace" and the message was from Matthew 20:1-16. If you have a moment, read this parable. But, it is also important to understand the context of this scripture by reading Matthew 19:16-30.
      Peter was asking Jesus, "So, what do I get out of giving up everything to follow you?" Then Jesus explained the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Essentially, the landowner paid the workers who started at 6am the same as those who started at 5pm. It seems a little unfair. Those who worked for several hours got paid the same as those who worked for one. The pastor asked us "Does this seem unfair?" YES! The reason this seems unfair is that we are filled with envy, simply put.
     We live in a world full of comparison. Social media is the epicenter of this comparison. I see it all the time on social media sites. I've seen people say the nastiest things about girls (I'm sure guys get it too) on Instagram and other social media sites. It's kind of scary the things people say about people they don't actually know. Evan and I have talked about it numerous times. I'm like "why in the world would people say that about her? She is super nice." Although, we may not have put a nasty comment on someones Instagram or Facebook page, we all think "Why did she get that raise and I didn't?", "Why does she have that and I don't?" or "Why do I have to work harder than everyone just to get the same thing?" I will say I'm guilty of the last one. I always feel that I have to work harder at school than other people. Sometimes it drives me crazy because I'll put in extra work and end up with the same grade as someone who did the work the night before. So today's message was dead on for me.
     The problem is that we think God sees "fairness" like we do. He doesn't. God does not have to give you what he gives someone else (and often he doesn't). If you serve him, he will give you what is fair. God doesn't reward productiveness. He rewards faithfulness. We all have different purposes in God's grand plan. What your journey looks like will not be the same as someone else. God planned it exactly like that. Often, we are the worker who started at 6am and got the same pay as the guy who worked an hour. We complain. We grumble. However, Grace rewards faithfulness. Be faithful and have a wonderful Sunday!





"So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." Matthew 20:16 (KJV)

*Click on the photos for a direct link to this sweatshirt that is currently on sale for $16.
   

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