THE ELEVENTH HOUR WAGES.

 

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE:

(Matthew 20:6-16)

[6]And about the eleventh hour (five o'clock) he went out and found still others standing around, and said to them, Why do you stand here idle all day?

[7]They answered him, Because nobody has hired us. He told them, You go out into the vineyard also and you will get whatever is just and fair.

[8]When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, Call the workmen and pay them their wages, beginning with the last and ending with the first. [Lev. 19:13; Deut. 24:15.]

[9]And those who had been hired at the eleventh hour (five o'clock) came and received a denarius each.

[10]Now when the first came, they supposed they would get more, but each of them also received a denarius.

[11]And when they received it, they grumbled at the owner of the estate,

[12]Saying, These [men] who came last worked no more than an hour, and yet you have made them rank with us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.

[13]But he answered one of them, Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?

[14]Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this man hired last the same as I give to you.

[15]Am I not permitted to do what I choose with what is mine? [Or do you begrudge my being generous?] Is your eye evil because I am good?

[16]So those who [now] are last will be first [then], and those who [now] are first will be last [then]. For many are called, but few chosen.

INSIGHTS:

The parameters for accessing the value and worth of our labors and their commensurate wages in God’s vineyard are not time bounds. In other words, our efforts in the kingdom work are not measured by length of years, rather by their relevance, resonance, conformity and strict compliance with the Lord’s programs, in sync with His designated calendars. The indisputable determinant factor is uncompromised obedience to respond to His call to serve, despite the age, hour and season.

Therefore beloved, whenever He calls you, don’t hesitate to answer Him, and wherever He sends you, comply and go, for great shall be your rewards and lucrative wages. God doesn’t owe salaries and allowances. He always pay with fat incentives.

 

PLEDGE:

I ( insert your name) pledges to deny myself, carry my Cross and follow the voice of the Lord as He calls, I will answer.

I will go wherever He sends me and by His grace, will do His Will and great exploits for His kingdom. So help me God in Christ Jesus name, Amen.