Happy Wednesday! Today, we will finish the parable of the Vineyard Workers. Enjoy today’s devotion.

BIBLE VERSE – Matthew 20:9-16 NLT
“9 When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. 10 When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage. 11 When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, 12 ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’

13 “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? 14 Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. 15 Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’

16 “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

REFLECTION
In these final verses of the parable,  we find the worker at odds with the landowner. The worker felt he deserved more, because he worked longer. Of course, two self-reflection questions were asked: 1)”Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage?”; and 2) “Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?”

Brothers and sisters, if God asked us two self-reflection questions I can guarantee many of us would respond the exact same way as the first worker. We expect God to do more for us, than someone else. We expect God to be judge over others, but not over us. God is a just God, who seeks justice and is also merciful.

Brothers and sisters, the day will come when we will stand before God and he will give us what He promised in His word (thank God for Jesus, it won’t be what true believers deserve). For some it will be the riches of the kingdom (eternal life) and sadly for those who refuse to believe and accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, it will be eternity in hell. Now before you get upset,  each of us are given the same opportunity to repent and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. If you are new to the faith or have been a faithful follower for years, the gift of salvation is the same. While one person in the eyes of many may believe their riches in heaven may be greater than another’s riches, God is the ultimate judge. God sees both the wicked and righteous. Brothers and sisters continue to work with  humility and love for the Lord.

PRAYER
Father God, you are so patient with us. You seek us out, when we should be graciously drawing ourselves back to you. Lord, when we feel we deserve more, remind us of what you have already given us. Lord, help us to walk in the fullness of what you have given us. Lord, teach us to use our spiritual gifts to glorify your name and tell others of all the things you have done. Lord, thank you for being Lord over our lives. Lord, remove our selfishness and self-righteous behavior. Lord, help us to self-reflect on our attitudes and actions. Point out the things that you want us to work on for the remainder of this year. Lord, lead us and transform us this year to be more like you. Lord, we don’t want to be the same walking through or ending this year. Lord, we surrender our will to yours. Lord, we don’t care which place we are in, just as long as we get to live in eternity with you.

Lord, be with every child and student beginning school this week. Lord, make their paths straight, protect them from harm, and keep them from harming others.

Lord, we continue to pray for those who are struggling with life today. Lord, life is just hitting them harder today than times before. Lord, give them strength and wisdom to be at peace, and walk through this difficult time in their lives. Lord, comfort those who are grieving and navigating a new normal. Lord, be with the man who has been experiencing chronic pain and bring them relief. Lord, be with the woman who was released from the hospital and help her to continue to heal. Lord, touch the man who has gone blind and help his sight to recover. Lord, we ask for those who are unemployed and seeking job opportunities to find work. We pray for those who are employed and seeking new job opportunities. Lord, continue to bless them and give them favor in interviews.

Lord, thank you. Thank you for answering so many prayer requests this year, last month, and this month. You have been faithful and we are grateful.

Have Your way God. We trust You. In Jesus name, amen.

—–-

BIBLE STUDY 

Beginning Thursday, August 14, 2025, we will start a new Bible study series on the Armor of God. Study will be over Zoom and it will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m. To join the study, send an email to contactus@maryewhiteministries.com.

PRAYER REQUEST
Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://biblegateway.com

Copyright ©️ 2017-2030 Mary E. White Ministries, all rights reserved.