THE HEART OF A SERVANT (1)                                   Matthew 20:3-12

And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, (v3)

In Matthew 20:16 we can read the parable of the landowner who hired servants to work his field. The servants whom he hired initially agreed to work for a day’s wage. Then in vv 3-7 we read “And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle… Because no one hired us” He said to them, “You also go into the Vineyard and whatever is right you will receive.”

So we see the owner of the vineyard still hiring others toss works his field, even up to the end of day; Yet it is at the conclusion of the story, when we see the owner begin to give out the wages, that we learn a powerful truth from Jesus. “And when  those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius… These last men have worked only one hour and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and heat of the day (Matthew 20:9-12) Have you ever experienced feelings of jealousy when you saw others promoted before you in God’s kingdom? If we are not careful, we will even begin to murmur against God regarding this gross injustice. We will find ourselves  blaming others because we have not moved forward in life; we will minimize the success of others as “a lucky break” or “being in the right place at the right time.” Or “playing office politics.”  This attitude causes us to assume the position of a victim. A victim mentality will keep us bound to the stronghold of the past. (Mike FEHLAUeR)

PRAYER LINE: Father, please free me from a victim  mentality and from the stronghold of the past, in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

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God may deny our request but He will never disappoint our trust.