In my Bible study this morning, I was reading the parable of the vineyard owner who went into the village to find workers to go to work for him (Matthew 20:1-16). Some were called to work at 6:00, some at 9:00, 12:00 and finally, some at 4:00 p.m. Those who know this story will remember that everyone got paid the same thing--a denarius. A day's wage, whether they worked for a day or an hour.
The Kingdom of Heaven has different rules than we earthlings have. What is fair is a matter of perspective, apparently. God reserves the right to be generous at times by giving people more than they deserve, and at other times, allowing the results of their actions to play out--just what they deserve by earthly standards.
In thinking about this parable and how it applies to my life, I realized that it is easy for me to feel envious of people who serve God in the same way that I do, with similar fervor and enthusiasm, and who have received more from God's hand than I have, materially speaking. This is true, sadly enough, even though I have received tremendous blessings from God in terms of spiritual vigor and more than my share of energy, creativity, optimism, and happiness. Intelligence and persistence are other gifts that I would not trade for anything. But touch my wallet, and I begin to think that others who have an easier life than I do, must be spiritually inferior in some way, or that God has been unfair to me. And that is faulty thinking.
As far as I can tell, God has promised us just what we need for today--not all that we need for tomorrow, or next week, or next year. Just for today. And today I have all that I need and plenty more.
When I went back to school for my PhD, I moved across the country to a place where I didn't know anyone, didn't have a job, and had very little money. I had a job in a week, which meant that I had a week to unpack my belongings and make my apartment comfortable. Typical of new jobs however, I didn't get paid for two weeks. I can remember having enough money to buy a few groceries. For two weeks I ate oatmeal for breakfast and had spaghetti with green peas and parmesan cheese in it. And I was as happy as a lark (and dropped off some weight that needed to come off!) I had everything that I needed. I even had a dime in my wallet--no more, no less. But I didn't need anything beside what I already had. I was as blessed as those who had all sorts of other things besides what they needed. I had no reason to complain.
Today I'm thinking about how grateful I am for a God who has given me all that I need, and whose promise for the things of life are good, just for today.
Great is Thy faithfulness,Great is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
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