Expectancy

Matthew 20: 1 – 16

Expectancy

Matthew 19: 30, “30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ 8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘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.’ 13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 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?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

A topic which I observe is not talked about is the subject ‘expectancy.’ I think you know the meaning for all of us have developed this way of viewing things which is the state of thinking or hoping that something, especially something pleasant, will happen or be the case

Experts have even developed a theory on how we humans react this way. They call it Expectancy theory (or expectancy theory of motivation). It proposes an individual will behave or act in a certain way because they are motivated to select a specific behavior over others due to what they expect the result of that selected behavior will be. The motivation of the behavior selection is determined by the desirability of the outcome.

Expectancy theory is about the mental processes regarding choice, or choosing. It explains the processes that an individual undergoes to make choices.

The expectancy theory of motivation explains the behavioral process of why individuals choose one behavioral option over the other. This theory explains that individuals can be motivated towards goals if they believe that there is a positive correlation between efforts and performance, the outcome of a favorable performance will result in a desirable reward, a reward from a performance will satisfy an important need, and/or the outcome satisfies their need enough to make the effort worthwhile. Expectancy.

Expectancy theory has three components: expectancy, instrumentality, and valence.

1. Expectancy: effort - performance

2. Instrumentality: performance - outcome

3. Valence: outcome - reward

Today we are going to see this emotion in action as our Precious Holy Lord and Savior Jesus Christ teaches His disciples the truth which matters

This Parable includes those who will serve as judges and overseers over the twelve tribes of Israel (19.28), and those who for His sake will forsake land and loved ones in His service (19.29). It includes all who are called to work as laborer’s in His vineyard (9.37-38). And here Jesus emphasizes the need for none to be foolhardy. While He will reward them, they should not be looking for rewards. They should be looking for God to deal graciously with His own. For the owner of the vineyard of Israel will pay all His workers equally, whatever their labors, as long as they have labored faithfully once called upon to do so. And that is because the reward is not of deserving but is of grace. Thus, none has any right to more than any other.

Matthew 19: 30, “30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Our Lord Jesus’ point is that their walk in the Spirit (12.28; 3.11) must be maintained. For many who get in early, and develop quickly, but find the going hard, will finish up last, because their attitude is poor (last but not lost. This is not speaking of Judas). While many who start slowly and develop more gradually will end up first. For each of us progress must thus be continuous if we are to receive the fullest blessing, whether we commence at the first hour or the eleventh hour. This is what the ensuing parable is now all about as verse 16 makes clear.