Daily Word Of God
Matthew 20:1-2, 8-13, 15-16
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner going out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. He made an agreement with the workers for one denarius a day and sent them to his vineyard.
In the evening, the owner of the vineyard said to his bailiff, “Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last arrivals and ending with the first.” So those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came forward and received one denarius each. When the first came, they expected to get more, but they too received one denarius each. They took it, but grumbled at the landowner saying, “The men who came last have done only one hour, and you have treated them the same as us, though we have done a heavy day’s work in all the heat.”
He answered one of them and said, “My friend, I am not being unjust to you; did we not agree on one denarius? Have I no right to do what I like with my own? Why should you be envious because I am generous?” Thus the last will be first, and the first, last.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- The parable of the labourers in the vineyard tells us that the ways of God are different from the ways of this world. That material rewards offered by this world are totally different from spiritual rewards of the kingdom of God.
- This parable also tells us of the extraordinary generosity and compassion of God who opens the doors to His Kingdom to everyone – those who labour a life-time for him and those who come in at the last hour.
- We are all called to love and serve God with generosity, joy and cheerfulness – all for His greater glory; and leave the “reward” of our goodness to God. Do you give generously to others, especially to those in need?