Our paragraph topic is: (Parable of the laborers in the vineyard)
Part 15.
The first received his reward and was joyous. They had only worked an hour. The next to the last received their denarius and they were happy. They had only worked a couple of hours. Those who came before the first received their wages and they were satisfied. They did not work as long as those who came first. And then came those who were hired first. The time came for them to receive their reward and they also received a denarius.
And upon receiving their pay they were astonished. They were not satisfied. They were not joyous. They were not happy to receive what they had agreed to work for. For they had made comparisons. They had worked all day in the heat of the sun. They had watched others come into the vineyard and knew that they would receive more. They thought that their reward would be greater than all the rest. "And on receiving it, they began to murmur against the householder."
They made comparisons. They looked at others as they entered the vineyard and compared themselves to those that came after them. They raised themselves above those that came after them. They thought that they were better. They thought that they deserved more. They saw themselves as different from those who came after them. And yet they all were the same. They all were offered the same amount by the house-holder to tend the fields in the vineyard.
There was work that needed to be done. There was a need for laborers to do the work. There was a contract made and an agreement for compensation. Yet somewhere in the process a change took place. Somewhere in the work something entered the picture to bring about a change. They worked side by side. They picked the grapes from the vines and harvested the fruit. Somewhere in the work day, the minds of the workers changed. Somewhere during the heat of the day their thoughts changed. Somewhere as the day came to a close the hearts of the workers changed and a new mind, a new heart, new thoughts came into the picture and all were changed.
Some were happy. Some were joyous. Some were satisfied. But others were astonished and dismayed at what they received. They began to murmur. They began to talk back. They began to allow frustration and doubt, and fear, and anger to enter into their hearts and minds and bring about a transformation in who they were. They began as simple workers seeking to find work for the day. They ended up as angry spirits who's hearts were filled with anger.
What is it that brings about such a change? What happened that they were dissatisfied? What brought about this about face in their attitudes and mindsets that they began to murmur? Comparison came in. Comparison came in and set things in motion. Comparison came through and showed them a different picture. They started out happy to have work. They ended up sad and disgruntled with their pay. Are we the same today? Do we start out happy to have work and end up sad with our pay? Does comparison come into our lives and lead us to change? Does comparison come into our lives and turn us in a different direction?
We are God's children, created in his image and likeness. He has given us the gift of life. The most precious gift that could be had, we already have. Are we satisfied? Are we happy? Are we understanding of what has been given to us? Or are we making comparisons with what the world has to offer against what we already have? We see, we feel, we taste and touch and smell all that the physical has to offer. Can we know the truth of what the gift of life has to offer? The spirit will tell. The life within will show. The Advocate will listen and teach that which has not been taught. And then you will know that there is no comparison to what you have. And then you will be happy and joyous, for you have the gift of life.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
Part 15.
The first received his reward and was joyous. They had only worked an hour. The next to the last received their denarius and they were happy. They had only worked a couple of hours. Those who came before the first received their wages and they were satisfied. They did not work as long as those who came first. And then came those who were hired first. The time came for them to receive their reward and they also received a denarius.
And upon receiving their pay they were astonished. They were not satisfied. They were not joyous. They were not happy to receive what they had agreed to work for. For they had made comparisons. They had worked all day in the heat of the sun. They had watched others come into the vineyard and knew that they would receive more. They thought that their reward would be greater than all the rest. "And on receiving it, they began to murmur against the householder."
They made comparisons. They looked at others as they entered the vineyard and compared themselves to those that came after them. They raised themselves above those that came after them. They thought that they were better. They thought that they deserved more. They saw themselves as different from those who came after them. And yet they all were the same. They all were offered the same amount by the house-holder to tend the fields in the vineyard.
There was work that needed to be done. There was a need for laborers to do the work. There was a contract made and an agreement for compensation. Yet somewhere in the process a change took place. Somewhere in the work something entered the picture to bring about a change. They worked side by side. They picked the grapes from the vines and harvested the fruit. Somewhere in the work day, the minds of the workers changed. Somewhere during the heat of the day their thoughts changed. Somewhere as the day came to a close the hearts of the workers changed and a new mind, a new heart, new thoughts came into the picture and all were changed.
Some were happy. Some were joyous. Some were satisfied. But others were astonished and dismayed at what they received. They began to murmur. They began to talk back. They began to allow frustration and doubt, and fear, and anger to enter into their hearts and minds and bring about a transformation in who they were. They began as simple workers seeking to find work for the day. They ended up as angry spirits who's hearts were filled with anger.
What is it that brings about such a change? What happened that they were dissatisfied? What brought about this about face in their attitudes and mindsets that they began to murmur? Comparison came in. Comparison came in and set things in motion. Comparison came through and showed them a different picture. They started out happy to have work. They ended up sad and disgruntled with their pay. Are we the same today? Do we start out happy to have work and end up sad with our pay? Does comparison come into our lives and lead us to change? Does comparison come into our lives and turn us in a different direction?
We are God's children, created in his image and likeness. He has given us the gift of life. The most precious gift that could be had, we already have. Are we satisfied? Are we happy? Are we understanding of what has been given to us? Or are we making comparisons with what the world has to offer against what we already have? We see, we feel, we taste and touch and smell all that the physical has to offer. Can we know the truth of what the gift of life has to offer? The spirit will tell. The life within will show. The Advocate will listen and teach that which has not been taught. And then you will know that there is no comparison to what you have. And then you will be happy and joyous, for you have the gift of life.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
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