Main Thought
Have you ever felt like God was good to you, but even better to others? Sometimes that can be discouraging or even frustrating. Why does God seem more generous towards others? If you’ve ever felt this way, then you’re not alone. But we need to focus on God’s Kingdom rather than our ideas of “fairness.” God’s glory and God’s mission must be the priority! (Ironically, we’re most likely to experience purpose and satisfaction when we’re putting God’s glory ahead of our own.) We can’t let comparison kill our contentment either. God sees our sacrifice and our service to Him. Our rewards are coming! Even if we don’t get them on earth, we’re sure to be rewarded and recognized in eternity. This unchanging fact helps us live with confidence on earth, and frees us to embrace God’s generosity toward us with gratitude.
Main Passage
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw OTHERS standing idle in the marketplace, And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, the master did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour (only one hour left in the day) he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”
- Matthew 20:1-16
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
- 1 Timothy 6:6-8
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
- Hebrews 11:6
Discussion Questions
Has comparison ever killed your contentment? If so, what kind of impact did that have on your emotions, your relationship with God, or your relationship with others?
What’s one thing you can be grateful to God for in your life right now?
Jesus promises that our Father, who sees in secret, will reward us for honoring Him. How should that impact the way we live and serve God on a daily basis?
Family Question
What does “gratitude” mean to you? Name at least one thing you’re grateful for!