The Hand Of Grace

Jesus, when speaking about the wealthy owner, said to the disciples, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or, are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:1-16

Friends in Christ, Let’s begin here: The pastor was doing his best to excite the congregation for an opportunity to grow and reach the community for Christ. With rising volume and energy, the Pastor said passionately, “This church has a great opportunity to get up and walk – to do ministry!” A member – clearly not a Lutheran by birth – responded enthusiastically and out loud, “Let her walk, preacher, let her walk!” Encouraged, the pastor continued, “Then, after we start walking, we are going to get up and run! Run with God’s love and work!” The enthused member again yelled with increased gusto, “Let her run, preacher, let her run!” Feeling the energy of the congregation rising, the preacher added with even louder gusto and volume, “If this church is going to go places, it’s got to really fly! Fast, upward, fly!” With near ear-splitting volume the excited member yelled, “Let her fly, preacher, let her fly!” The preacher paused, quieted his voice, then said was determination, “For this church to walk, then run, then fly, we are all going to need to give more money. Lots more money!” The once-enthusiastic member now responded flatly, “Let her walk, preacher, let her walk.” So much for generosity …

When Jesus spoke to His disciples after a time of travel and outreach, Peter asked, “Lord, we have left everything to follow you. What will there be for us?” Jesus replied by telling the story about the wealthy owner who hired workers throughout the day – some first thing in the morning, some at noon, some late in the afternoon and some with only one hour left in the work day, but he paid them all a full day’s wage – even those who worked only one hour. When those who worked all day complained that it was unfair, the owner responded, “Are you envious because I am generous?”

It isn’t a story about work and wages. It isn’t a story about justice or fairness. It is a story about life in the church when new saints are included with those who have been in faith for a life time. They, too, receive the vast blessings of God’s grace, forgiveness, and eternal life.

(1) To better understand the issue, look at our needs. Those who stood in the town square waiting – hoping – to be hired, had needs. They wanted to earn money to buy food for their families, to pay the mortgage, to buy clothing, to put gas in the car, to send their kids to school and camp and sports. Just as we do.

And, when they pray to be forgiveness, healed, comforted, and assured, they are asking for the same things we seek. Our need for God is great. We can’t navigate life without Him.

(2) The good news in the story is that through faith in Christ, our crucified and risen Savior, God, who knows our needs, provides for us from His loving, generous heart, just as St. Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Remember the Biblical examples of God’s goodness? He gave water and food to the Israelites while in the wilderness. He gave food, water, and shelter to Elijah while in the desert. He gave protection to Daniel in the lions’ den. He gave renewed health to Peter’s mother-in-law, He gave life to Lazarus. He gave forgiveness of Matthew, Zaccheaus, the woman at the well, the repentant thief on the cross – to you, to me, to all who ask in faith.

The challenge is that we sometimes – in our human nature – believe that we should have a higher stature because of our years of faith and work and giving. New disciples and members are wanted – even welcome – if they do not take our position of stature. It happens. I have seen it. You have seen it. You may have experienced it. Dare we be jealous because of God’s generosity to new disciples?

Perhaps this will help: two brothers were called by God to give up all they had and serve humanity. The older responded positively even though he had to leave his family and the woman he loved. He went to a distant land where he spent himself in the service of the poorest of the poor. When persecution arose in that country, he was arrested, falsely accused, tortured, and put to death. At the gates of heaven, the Lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant! I now give you all the riches of heaven. Enter the joy of the Lord.” // The younger brother, however, ignored God’s call and married the woman he loved. His business prospered. He became wealthy. Occasionally, he would give a donation to the poor. When he eventually died, Lord welcomed him at the gate of heaven and said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter the Kingdom of God!” The older brother was surprised when he heard that his brother received the same reward as he … but he was pleased. He said, “Lord, knowing this as I do, if I were to live my life again, I would still do exactly what I did for you. And, thank you for showing grace to my brother. He is where I hoped he would one day be.”