Matthew 20:4 “He told them, `You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.'”

This is a well known story that Jesus told, and it has generated lots of opinions and discussions over the centuries. It is even one place I have a small difference of opinion with my seminary professor grandfather, W. O. Carver. To me, the biggest point is that we have to trust God to give us “what is right,” regardless of the service He asks of us. And we don’t need to try to figure out just “what is right” is, either! Only God knows the true value of our service. I am reminded of something else Jesus told His disciples: “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” (Luke 17:10) As we saw just yesterday, God is never stingy, but He asks for faith. We need to trust that He will amply reward our labors. Paul and others also dealt with this issue of rewards, and Paul cautioned that not all service is worthy of reward. (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) We need to be concerned more with the quality of our service than with the quantity of the reward! There is no excuse whatever for sloughing off and saying, “God is a God of grace, so I’ll be OK.” God is certainly a God of grace, but that’s all the more reason to give our all in gratitude and not cheapen that grace with some distorted sense of entitlement.

This certainly applies to me, as it does to every believer. I know full well that I haven’t done everything God has told me to do, and that I have done many things He hasn’t told me to do, or even that He has told me not to do. That’s why I’m enormously grateful that He’s a God of grace! I need to communicate this reality to the believers, not with any hint of having “arrived” myself, but encouraging them to join me in trusting God to do what is right. I need to keep my own eyes fixed on the high calling that is ours in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 3:14) and call them to do likewise.

Father, I’m in the middle of dealing with the home-going of a brother who is a clear example of today’s passage. It’s been less than a year since he was baptized, but I have no question of his reward! Only You know the full impact and value of his beautiful, childlike faith, but I know it impacted me! I do ask Your abundant strength and comfort for his widow and son, that they would not only praise You for Your faithfulness to him, they would trust You fully in everything regarding them as well. I pray that the service tonight and the funeral tomorrow would be all that You want them to be, drawing those who don’t yet know You to repentance and faith, and encouraging and comforting those who are already Your children, so that all of Your plans may be fulfilled as You intend, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!