Do Not Despise The Grace Of God

In Matthew 20, Jesus tells a parable about a landowner who hired workers for his field at four different times throughout the day, and agreed to pay them a day's wage. When evening came he paid the workers, beginning with those hired last, he paid a day's wage. However, even though the servants hired earlier were expecting more, the landowner paid them what they agreed to... a day's wage. The servants hired earlier were upset, and said to the landowner in Verse 12, "These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day." But the landowner explained to them that they agreed to work for a day's wage, and told the workers this in Verse 15," Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?"

Sometimes we as Christians have a works mentality, meaning if you work hard enough and long enough, and do good things God will bless you and love you... but that is ALL WRONG! God when He sent Jesus, "made us free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:2 And why is so good to people, even though they don't deserve it? It's the same reason even while we were sinners, He sent Jesus to die on a cross for us. Because God's ultimate goal is reconciliation. God wants a relationship with us, and the only way that can happen is for us to understand how gracious God really is. Romans 2:4, "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" - Just like the landowner, God graciousness extends far beyond what we deserve... and instead of despising His graciousness in others lives, we should learn to accept it in ours! - Pastor George Finney