DATE: 20th September, 2020
THEME: DON’T BEGRUDGE GOD’S GENEROSITY
SCRIPTURE READING
Jonah 3:1-10
Phil. 2:21-30
Matt. 20:1-16
Psalter: Psalm 145:1-8
PREPARED BY: Osofo Yaw Dodd
INTRODUCTION
Some scholars believe that the parable of the vineyard workers is so straightforward that it wraps the whole gospel into one story. Some say it is the PINNACLE of the THEOLOGICAL message of Jesus: the extraordinary grace of God revealing God’s generous gift to all people. Many preachers use this text to support death bed conversions advocating the belief that even if one shows up late in the day, and accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they will earn eternal life. Other scholars have used this parable to argue for a social witness standard against the unjust treatment of laborers and peasant workers. Most scholars admit it is one of the most difficult parables. It raises all sorts of questions and its message is foggy at best.
In this parable, the landowner goes to the marketplace early in the day to obtain his workers for that day agreeing on the usual daily wage which was a denarius–enough for about one day’s survival. The landowner was not over-generous in his pay.
The landowner goes back to the town square at nine, back at noon, back at three, and again at five. (You sort of wonder why this landowner spends his whole day getting the workers himself.) The workers at 5pm are idle, it says; clearly they did not observe the other men who were getting jobs every three hours. When the owner asks them why they are still idle their excuse is: “Because no one has hired us.” So he sends them into his vineyard too.
The end of the day whistle blows and all the workers gather to receive their wages. The manager was told to pay starting with the latest arrivals. That was not the way remuneration was usually done, but the first workers get to see what the latecomers are being paid and they think cool We’ll get more than that for sure. But, they get exactly what they deserve. They whine and complain.
BODY
I. WHAT IS GENEROSITY?
Generosity is the act of being kind, selfless, and giving to others. Despite being an act that is done to benefit others’ well-being, generosity also paradoxically increases our well-being. So being generous is a fantastic way to improve your mental health and well-being.
When it comes to improving our happiness and well-being, generosity is a good choice because it has a ripple effect. If someone else sees us do something of kind or generous, it actually makes them more likely to be generous too. Even saying a simple, “Thank you,” can inspire both of you, and those watching, to be more generous. This is how generosity creates a ripple effect, helping us feel happier and less lonely.
II. GENEROSITY BEGINS WITH JESUS
Generosity is grounded in the gospel. If we start anywhere else, we start in the wrong place. Paul says “For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,” (2 Cor 8:9, NRSV). For a time, Christ gave up the riches of heaven for a life of poverty. Paul sees this as an expression of generosity. He understands that the self-giving love of Christ reveals the heart of God as a heart of extravagant generosity.
III. GENEROSITY IS ABOUT DISCIPLESHIP
If the life of Jesus is characterized by generosity, then the call to follow Jesus means generosity is a matter of discipleship. Jesus calls his followers to “deny themselves and take up their cross and follow” him (Mark 8:34, NRSV). We’ve already seen that the cross is an expression of godly generosity. That means the call of Jesus to take up the cross is a call to embody godly generosity.
IV. THE VALUE SYSTEM OF THE WORLD
The negotiation of a contract is part of the value system of the world. This system uses productivity to determine wages. The first workers employed in the parable chose this system to relate to the landowner. The value system of the world has a pay structure that increases with increased working hours. Workers who work longer hours are paid more than those who work less hours. It also demands that those who have spent a longer time in employment are considered first and given preference when increases in wages and bonuses are due.
V. THE VALUE SYSTEM OF GOD
GOD DOES NOT TREAT US ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS BUT ACCORDING TO HIS COMPASSION AND MERCY. According to their works the people of Nineveh deserved to be destroyed. God, however, in mercy sent Jonah to call them to repentance. God does not want any of us to perish and through repentance and belief in Christ we have access to His presence.
▪The value system of God is based on love. God does not love us because of who we are and what we have done but because of who He is. “God is love”.
▪This value system is by grace because Christ has fully paid the price for sin. We are saved by grace through faith. (Eph. 2:8)
The workers who did not work the full time knew perfectly well that they had received a gift they did not deserve.
In the world’s value system wages were determined by productivity, working hours and seniority. In God’s value system relationship replaced work and His generous provisions replaced wages as seen in today’s parable.
In God’s Kingdom life does not always appear to be fair and we can be thankful that God’s values are different from what the world values. This is the reason why we can crucify God’s Son and be forgiven, why we can rebel against God, spitting in his face, and be forgiven and why a thief or a murderer can confess in the final moment of life and be forgiven.
VI. ADVICE ON JEALOUSY
Jesus is teaching his disciples to take care with regards to jealousy, emotion and envy. But you know them when you feel them. Jealousy and envy can boil up and foment and churn us inside.
For our purpose: “jealousy”, I suggest, comes from a place of fear when we feel the threat of losing something or someone we hold precious. And, “envy” comes from a place of longing and desire when we wish we had what someone else has.
Jealousy and envy threaten to weaken a relationship. They work their way into the heart and soul of a relationship and can build a wedge between siblings, loved ones, friends, and colleagues.
When we are envious of another person or what they have, it’s usually that we have created an image of that person that is blown way out of proportion. We’ve created them into a god-a god that makes us feel bad about ourselves. But in order to feel better about ourselves, we try to bring them down a notch. We say subtle things that plant seeds of negativity and at its most dangerous.
CONCLUSION
Precious one! Let’s live our lives in peace of God and focus on building a good relationship with God and neighbors. Stay BLESSED. Enjoy the service.
PREPARED BY
Very Rev Dr Samuel Dua Dodd
Calvary Methodist Church
Adabraka-Accra
