God is a just rewarder

Rev. Enoch Thompson | June 30, 2023 | Matthew 20:1-16

KEY VERSE:

¹³But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? ¹⁴Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. ¹⁵Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' Matthew 20:13-15 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

The last chapter (chapter 19) has been loaded with questions about wealth, inheritance, and the benefits from a disciplined discipleship life. The Lord takes the discussion further by giving an insight into God's rewarding system. God is the owner of all there is and rewards His worshippers according to His will.

In the earlier discussion, the Lord Jesus had indicated that there will be rewards here on earth and given the assurance of life forevermore with God (glory be to God!). Within this broad framework of rewards, God determines when, how and to what extent He rewards individuals in this life.

We are saved by grace and live to fulfil the assigned good works we were made to do (Eph. 2:10), but we must wait for God's timing and His choice of our blessings. We must not expect God to bless all of us the same way He has chosen to bless someone else. We may put out our good desires to the Master and Shepherd of our souls, we are invited to do so when we pray. But we must let God be God. We must accept God’s verdict of what we are deserving of and be grateful. When we do otherwise, we insult the wisdom and goodness of God and attempt to tell Him we know better than He does.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Do you feel jealous because someone is blessed differently from you, and you wish you had received the person’s blessings? No, there must be no room for brotherly/ sisterly jealousy. Trust the wisdom of God and the goodness of His heart towards you, to give you just what is good and right.

PRAYER:

Sovereign King, I confess any jealousy towards any other person’s blessings. Lord, I now declare that I trust your wisdom, your goodness, and your faithfulness to position me at the right place and to bless me just right.

For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!