- And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house,12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ Matthew 20:11-12 – Let’s be honest with ourselves, we too would have our thoughts on the master of the house if we were in the place of these labors. We were hired early in the morning and worked all day in the heat, yet the guys who stood around idle all day and only worked for an hour in the cool evening got the same pay as we did. That’s just not right, that’s unfair…or is it? As we see with the parable, the master addresses this apparent “unfairness” by saying he gave the all-day laborers exactly as he promised them, but simply choose to be generous with the others. As we relate this with God and our service of Him, let’s remember God is never unfair in our blessings. He gives to us everything He promises to give us when we choose to follow Him. That said, He may choose to be generous to others in ways He is not with us…and that’s not unfair. He may bless others with a marriage, or a job, or a child, or an opportunity, but we don’t see that in our life. This is not God being unjust or unfair, but simply Him being generous with what He has. Let’s seek to grow to a place where we are not embittered at the Lord when He chooses to be generous to someone else. Let the gift of forgiveness of sin and eternity in Heaven satisfy you so you can celebrate with those who receive in this world even when you don’t. Instead of hardening ourselves towards God due to our thoughts of His unfairness, draw near to Him in gratitude that He chose to do the most unfair thing in all history of placing our sin on Jesus when we should have been the ones to take that on. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3342
- Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity? Matthew 20:15 – Easter and all that surrounds this story reminds us of the amazing generosity of our Heavenly Father. He sent His only Son to die and rise again for our behalf when we were enemies of His. We don’t deserve anything God is offering to us except the wrath that was placed on Jesus’ shoulders. But we’ve been given life with God instead, the most precious thing in existence. When we really unpack what God has given us and how much we don’t deserve it, it helps us not be so jealous and bitter when He gives the same to others. Yes you’ve been faithfully living for God for years and they haven’t and God gives them life like you have, just remember why you’ve been faithfully living. It wasn’t to earn that life but to say thank you for it. Let’s celebrate when someone claims the life God is offering rather than being bitter about it. Happy Easter. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 874
- And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. Matthew 20:32-34 – Imagine you’re on death row and about to be executed. As you are walking to the room to where you will be executed a judge stops you and says he’ll grant any one request you have in that moment. Your request, “Can these handcuffs be removed? They are bothering me.” You could have asked for freedom, you could of asked for anything because he had the power to do anything. Yet you asked for something so little. I think this is why Jesus asked the blind men, “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus, who is all powerful could have given them life eternal, forgiven all their sins, yet they only asked for sight. Don’t be blinded to the real situation you are in. Yes, pray to receive sight if that’s what you need. Ask for help in math, or help finding a spouse, or help navigating a work struggle. God welcomes those requests. I just want to encourage you to remember who you’re talking with, the God whose vapor of His breath created galaxies. I also want to remind you that being “blind” isn’t the biggest healing you need. If you haven’t sought forgiveness of your sins, that first needs to be asked for. It would be better for you to live life blind and enter into Heaven than to live life with sight and spend eternity in Hell. Come to God with your requests, yet be sure to not forget to address the sinfulness in your story with God. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1970
Daily DEVO 