Category: Daily Prayer

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.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:21-35.

Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

When we are forgiven, we are blessed with relief and restoration. It is the same blessing when we forgive others. Jesus teaches that not forgiving means carrying an unnecessary burden of resentment and conflict that could be lifted by forgiving the one who wronged us.

Sometimes we think “but that lets them off the hook, why should I forgive them when they were wrong?” Imagine if Jesus thought this way! Why should our sins be forgiven when we were wrong?

Jesus knows the truth – He is the Truth – and He teaches us that love and forgiveness destroy the power of wrong. In our human desire for others to “get what’s coming to them” we must realize that also means getting what’s coming to us! Jesus tells us to drop our grievances by forgiving and loving as God does, and enter His kingdom.

Gracious God, we don’t deserve the blessing of Your mercy and forgiveness, but You offer it anyway. Help us to forgive from our hearts, giving up the hate and the wound we all carry. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Matthew 18:21-35.

Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Jesus shows us that love is shared through forgiveness. Even when He was falsely accused and killed for us, He prayed “Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). He wants us to be able to forgive others in the same way.

“Lord, surely there are some we shouldn’t forgive!” we exclaim. There are people who have done terrible things, intentionally harming God’s creation and His children. Jesus makes no mention of who we may exclude, instead He gives us the example of forgiving those who crucified Him.

Christ’s faithful witness testifies to God’s love. People will be called to account for their actions by the Father and His will and His justice will be done. Until then, we are commanded to love and forgive as He has done for us.

Loving Lord, we find it hard to understand the depth of Your love and mercy for us. Help us to see that only by loving and forgiving each other can we truly claim to be Your children. Amen.