A Worker’s Compensation
Read the Text: Matthew 20
Memorize the Text: Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it." (Matthew 16:24-25)
Consider the Text: Matthew 20:1-16
In July 1987, a person took the time to share the gospel with me. As I listened to the familiar message, God moved within my life, and I received Jesus as Lord and Savior at age 7. Several years later, while serving as a pastor in a local church, I received a call to accompany a church member to the hospital to visit her father. Her father did not know the Lord, and the daughter had asked me to join her to share Christ with her dying father. Advanced in age, the man had never received Christ as Lord and Savior until that day. There, nearing death, the ailing man became a follower of Christ. I accepted Christ at an early age, and this man received Christ near the end. Throughout the generations, people have received Jesus at varying points in life. The truth is that whether Christ becomes Lord early in life, near death, or somewhere in between, eternal life is the reward.
Jesus told a parable of a landowner who hired people to work in the fields. Early in the morning, the landowner approached a group of workers and agreed upon compensation for a day's work. A few hours later, the owner returned to the available workers and hired more. Nearing the end of the workday, the landowner hired the remaining workers that still needed work. As the day closed, Jesus told that the owner settled accounts with the laborers. He began with those he hired last. These workers received the wage agreed upon with the original workers. The workers hired midday received the same, and the original workers were compensated at the agreed upon rate. The original workers complained of unfair wages because they labored longer than the later workers. Jesus shared that the landowner responded that he paid according to his desire and the agreed upon wages. Several truths appear in the parable Jesus told.
First, PEOPLE RECEIVE CHRIST AT DIFFERENT TIMES IN LIFE. The three moments of hiring in the parable portray various moments in life when people respond to Jesus and become his follower. The owner came at differing hours and was hired because of need and compassion. The landowner extended compassion because the men had not been hired. Like the varying hiring moments, people respond at various moments in life. Believers must not give up on the lost responding to Jesus but continue sharing because today may be the day of salvation in their life.
Second, the REWARD OF ETERNAL LIFE IS NOT BASED ON TIME OF DECISION. The compensation given to each worker was equal regardless of the time of hiring. The gift of eternal life does not change based on the moment in life when one receives Christ as Lord and Savior. Whether a child who came to Jesus and followed or the thief on the cross who surrendered to Jesus, the gift of eternal life comes to both. Jesus provides eternal life to all who call on his name no matter the moment in life. Thus, we must continually share the gospel and pray for the salvation of others because there is still time for following Jesus.
Third, the WORKERS NEED TO FOCUS ON THE LABOR IN THE FIELDS. The first laborers received the agreed upon compensation. Since the wages given were equal regardless of the time of hire, these caused the first laborers to complain. The focus became on themselves and their compensation instead of rejoicing that others had received. As followers of Christ, it is critical that we remain focused on the labor in the fields and not become self-centered on what we deserve over others. Instead, we should rejoice in the salvation of others.
The parable Jesus told provided a critical reminder we must constantly labor for the Lord because it is never too late for a lost person to receive Christ. We must battle against focusing on what we deserve because of our faithfulness but seek to rejoice in the reward that new laborers receive. The key focus must be on eternity, not the temporary, on others, and not the self. Are you concerned more with the compensation you will receive from the Lord or that others have the opportunity to receive Christ and gain the compensation of eternal life?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
