matthew20

This chapter is full of some many lessons that are applicable today. In fact the words as they are written have the unique ability to sound like a description of the life as it is today when in comes to attitude. So many times we are all wrapped up in fairness and equality and what our friends and neighbors are getting.

Its like wanting that new job so badly because we need to work to earn a living. We apply for the job and readily accept the hourly rate the employer is offering. For the next few days we are so elated and thankful that we are working when so many others are less fortunate. It doesn't matter that the work is complex and tiring we're just glad we have it.

As time wears on we begin to take our new job a bit more for granted. We find out some of our co workers are making twenty five cents an hour more than we are. It's a bit frustrating but we can accept it, after all these workers have been here a lot longer than we have. As time progresses and there's no indication of that twenty five cent increase for us we become to be a bit unsettled.

At this point we need to stop and ask ourselves, why are we unhappy about this? Lets assume nothing as changed in our finances since we started the job at the agreed pay, so there is no issue of not making ends meet.

Have we become dissatisfied because we feel we are being treated unfairly and that someone is getting more than we are? This seems to be common nature its not really the money its the concept of not being treated fairly.

As Christians we rely on God to meet all of our needs. He provided this job for us, he gave us the hourly wage we needed at this very moment yet we are now sliding away from being grateful to wanting more. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting more in life but not at the risk of forgetting our current and past blessings. If we are trusting God then we are in the exact position he wants us to be. That co worker beside us is in the exact position God wants him to be as well, for whatever reason.Our only concern should be the needs of that person in regards to prayer.

It is not ours to question why God does something. Perhaps our wage isn't being increased because the employer's business is not thriving and he is trying to hold on without laying anyone off. He is honoring his wage commitment to the other workers. Just supposing this were the case which would be better for you to be laid off or stay working at the wage you are making.

That doesn't mean that God wants you to be taken advantage of. Remember this when you trust God and let him make the decisions then there is nothing in Heaven or Earth that can take advantage of you.

As this chapter continues it talks about how we have a tendency to covet stature. The disciples became quite indignant when two brothers wanted to sit on either side of Jesus in heaven. This is much like us when we feel that someone has been promoted above us when it should have been us. What does it truly matter? Should it matter whether we are the worker or the foreman? If we are in the right place with our Father then we are exactly where we should be.

The remainder of this chapter fits in with this commentary in this sense. As Jesus was going about his journey there could be no doubt that he was tired and pressed by the multitude of people around him. There must have been much noise and untold questions directed to the master. Yet even amongst all those people he still took time out for two that were in need. The two blind men.

Perhaps when we are overwhelmed from the pressing issues of our life but don't really get a free minute to think we forget to stop for those who are in need. Obviously Jesus expects us to.He lived his life by setting examples for us. This chapter certainly puts forth a very loud and clear example most applicable to today's living.