Thought For The Week

In the “Parable of the Workers” told by Jesus in Matthew 20, He told of laborers who were hired to work in a vineyard. The workers were hired at various times of the day, yet at the end of the day they all received the same pay. Traditionally, we make application to show that God accepts the penitent sinner no matter the age or stage of the person’s life, all receiving an eternal reward. However, there is a lesson here that can be easily overlooked. Each worker, no matter their status, were required to complete their assigned task within the vineyard so to collect the day’s wage. God wants us to commit our time and be busy workers in His vineyard. Even the person who comes to Christ late in life has an obligation to be a good steward of the days the Lord has given them. The Lord blesses us with 24 hours a day and it’s up to us to use our time wisely and always make time for the Lord’s work. (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5). Time is a blessing from God and a precious commodity; ask the grandparent who has limited time with grandchildren or the person who has reached old age. One doesn’t have to read the bible for very long until they can see the Lord requires His servants to be busy vineyard workers using their time to increase the kingdom. “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)

Jay Launius – 2024, Maud church of Christ, Maud, Texas