Do You See Them as Gifts?
My daughter recently tried to figure out how many birthday presents she would receive. Not just for her next birthday, but for ALL of her birthdays! It’s funny how quickly a gift turns into an expectation or a plan. We start thinking about vacations, gifts, tax refunds, and bonuses at work. And if something causes one of them not to show up, we’re disappointed. Most of these were an “extra” item or a gift in the first place!
Jesus tells a parable about how our mentality toward heaven should be in Matthew 20. The vineyard owner hires vineyard workers throughout the day and pays them all the same wage despite what time they started working. Naturally, this frustrated the ones who worked all day. They worked longer, so they, of course, thought they should be paid more than the ones who worked less. But the vineyard worker responded to 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?” (Matthew 20:13-15)
The vineyard owner extended the offer, and the workers accepted it. They received what they expected. But they were disappointed because their offer was somehow “worth” less. The owner reminded them of their original agreement. He also reminded them that it wasn’t really their business! The vineyard owner could make whatever deal he wanted!
Jesus was highlighting the attitude we should have toward heaven and the gift of salvation. We are promised salvation if we accept it. Everyone else is too. It is the best gift one could receive. But we should not be concerned about the attitude of others when they come to know Christ. We should just be thankful the relationship exists.
When it comes to gifts or acts of kindness, what is your attitude? Do you see them as gifts? Do you see them as something to expect? And are you thankful that others are coming to know Jesus?
As you dispense hope to those around you this weekend, allow your attitude to reflect the marvelous love of Jesus.
By Jason Grace
Jesus tells a parable about how our mentality toward heaven should be in Matthew 20. The vineyard owner hires vineyard workers throughout the day and pays them all the same wage despite what time they started working. Naturally, this frustrated the ones who worked all day. They worked longer, so they, of course, thought they should be paid more than the ones who worked less. But the vineyard worker responded to 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?” (Matthew 20:13-15)
The vineyard owner extended the offer, and the workers accepted it. They received what they expected. But they were disappointed because their offer was somehow “worth” less. The owner reminded them of their original agreement. He also reminded them that it wasn’t really their business! The vineyard owner could make whatever deal he wanted!
Jesus was highlighting the attitude we should have toward heaven and the gift of salvation. We are promised salvation if we accept it. Everyone else is too. It is the best gift one could receive. But we should not be concerned about the attitude of others when they come to know Christ. We should just be thankful the relationship exists.
When it comes to gifts or acts of kindness, what is your attitude? Do you see them as gifts? Do you see them as something to expect? And are you thankful that others are coming to know Jesus?
As you dispense hope to those around you this weekend, allow your attitude to reflect the marvelous love of Jesus.
By Jason Grace
Recent
Archive
2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
A New Way of ThinkingThe Lord Is at HandWait to WorryReal PeaceRight ThinkingSuch a Time as ThisA Lesson from Homer SimpsonHesitationThe Power RangerPep TalkSea Billows RollDo You See Them as Gifts?The God QuestionA Hopeless JourneyThe Hope of GraceDon't Miss the PartyThe Joyful GodWho's Listening AnywayThe InheritanceWhat Do You See?Give Me, Give Me, Give MeTearful PrayersFaithfulnessGo and DoIt Seems GoodTrust the Creator
July
Welcome His PeaceLet Us SingGod Is AbleOur Dependence on GodJealousyWhat Dreams Are Made OfServant LeaderChoosing ForgivenessCourage To Be TransformedHeaven and Earth ReuniteHope ReachesA Hope EternalA Hope InheritedHope RebuildsHope UnseenThe Promise of HopeOur Hope Comes From The LordThe Lord Takes Care of His PeopleFree from HarmThe Protective Hand of God\'s Loving CareThe Security of God\'s Watchful LoveThe Traveling TabernacleCommunityCommunityThe FloodThe Cool KidOpposites Attract
August
Open Our EyesThe Call to DiscipleshipA Strategy to Change the WorldImitators of ChristGrowth in Uncertain TimesA Legacy of DiscipleshipHard QuestionsQuestionsThe Answer, Part OneThe Answer, Part TwoThe Answer, Part ThreeThe Answer, Part FourUsing What God Has Given UsBest Laid PlansLive Without LimitsWhat Do You Want To Do?Unlimited SupplyJust A ... ?Who Is Jesus To You?Why Do the Wicked Prosper?Living By ConvictionThere's No Price Too HighAn Epoch BattleConfusion: A Sign of Trouble AheadDay and NightBuilding Brave
September
The Faith GapWhen Bravery CallsFor Such A Time As ThisBravery In The SilenceOpen Our EyesThe Cheese Stands AloneDreamThe StandoffStrengthFather Knows BestAmbassador for ChristPapa BearBest Seat In The HouseWaiting On The LordThe Last Chapterin God\'s Tender CareDo Not Be AnxiousFinish The PlayA New DecreeThat All Might KnowThe Formula For BraveryHow Will You Respond?Stepping Out In FaithHappily Ever After?P.S.Superlatives
October
The Final Curtain CallBraveLet Your Light ShineThe God Who SeeksI Once Was Blind But Now I SeeSalvation for the Chief of SinnersA Picture of RepentanceJesus Is The Son of GodThe Red BinGoAllInAlwaysJesusOur Identity In ChristThe Christian Duty to ForgiveJesus Paid Our Sin Debt In FullThe Power of Forgiveness ExperiencedThe Consequences of UnforgivenessThe Freedom of ForgivenessDo Not Be Conformed to the WorldBetter Than I DeserveGrace Considers Us WorthyGrace Seeks OutGrace ExtendedUnconditional Grace