“The RoseBouquet”

Have you ever heard of an employer who paid all his employees the same salary? No bonuses for senior employees or ones who had been with him a longer time?

Not in this current day and age in our country I haven’t. Perhaps in other times and other places, it happens, but our western nation is used to unions and government laws concerning our jobs. But we go off on a tangent if we dwell on that point. There are others in this story Jesus told.

That the landowner kept going out at different hours of the day, looking for workers to hire is noteworthy. He had a vineyard ripe for harvest and he needed workers to bring it in. Surprisingly, from morning to the eleventh hour at night, he could always find idle people with nothing to do. Nor is there anything to say they were reluctant. They came when he offered them work.

But at midnight when the man paid all the workers, the ones who had worked all day for the agreed denarius were put out that the freshest workers, who only put in one hour got just as much, a denarius, which was a day’s wage in that Rome-dominated world.

As I consider the accepted interpretation that this landowner is to be compared to God calling workers to gospel ministry, it makes a lot more sense. Those who have been believers from childhood and have served God all their lives will get a worthy reward, but those who come to Christ late in life, and have only a little part of their lives left to give to serving the Lord, - they too, shall get a reward.

The important point is to come into His service when He calls us, and to work gladly in His spiritual vineyard, bringing in the harvest of souls won to faith in Christ.

PRAYER: Lord, I am one of those who has known and loved You from my childhood. I have desired to serve You from before I knew how. I’m one of those in danger of being disgruntled when I see other later starting servants get Your good rewards. Help me not to have such attitudes. Rather to care that Your work gets done, and that You are pleased and praised. Amen.

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S.Got sibling troubles? Do you and your sister fight like cats? Sometimes it’s two against three - never really fair, is it? Ruthe, in Ruthe’s Secret Roses has one jealous sister and one who adores her and is able to keep secrets very well. You’ll find that she understands your dilemma, as you watch her struggle for answers.