by Dorcas Kulwa | 22 October 2020 08:46 pm10
Shalom,
May the Lord help us daily to grow in understanding His mighty power (Ephesians 1:18–19, ESV).
There was a time Jesus told the religious leaders that they were deceived
Matthew 22:29, ESV).
“because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” .
This warning was not only for the Pharisees—it is for us as well. Many believers struggle not because God is weak, but because we have not learned to trust His power, His generosity, and His sovereignty.
One of the most overlooked expressions of God’s power is His freedom to reward people beyond what they seem to deserve, simply because they entered His vineyard.
In Matthew 20:1–16 (NIV), Jesus gives the parable of the landowner who hired laborers at different hours of the day. Some worked from dawn, others from mid-morning, others from noon, and some came as late as 5 p.m. right before sunset.
The astonishing part is that each group received the same wage. Those who worked all day complained, but the master responded:
Matthew 20:13–15 (NKJV)
“Friend, I am doing you no wrong… I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.
Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?”
This parable shows several theological truths:
Grace is not a salary; it is a gift.
Romans 9:15–16 (ESV):“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy… So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.”
The workers hired at 5 p.m. barely worked an hour, but the master valued their willingness to serve, not their hours.
This echoes Jesus’ promise to the thief on the cross:
Luke 23:43 (ESV) –
“Today you will be with me in paradise.”
He entered the vineyard at the very last hour—but received the same eternal life.
What seems “unfair” to us is often an expression of God’s generous grace.
Jesus promised His apostles:
Matthew 19:27–28 (NIV)
“You who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
This is true. But the same Jesus says to all believers:
Revelation 3:21 (ESV)
“To the one who conquers I will grant to sit with me on my throne…”
This means:
The apostles received a unique role in judging Israel.
But all faithful believers can receive positions of honor in God’s eternal kingdom.
Not because we worked longer, harder, or earlier—but because God is free to elevate whom He chooses.
This reflects the principle in
1 Samuel 2:7–8 (ESV):
“The LORD makes poor and makes rich… He lifts the poor from the dust… to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor.”
God is not limited by your background, your age, or your past.
Maybe you feel late—perhaps older in years or newly converted. You may wonder:
“What reward can I possibly receive now?”
Scripture answers:
Joel 2:25 (NKJV)
“I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten.”
God can restore wasted years in a moment.
Even if you entered the vineyard at the eleventh hour, God knows how to multiply your faithfulness. The thief on the cross lived only a few minutes as a believer yet received eternal glory.
What matters is not when you came, but that you came—and that you serve faithfully now.
You may feel inadequate, unworthy, or too sinful from your past. But God is not looking for perfect people—He is looking for willing people.
2 Corinthians 8:12 (ESV)
“For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable…”
The landowner never rewarded the idle—only those who went when they were called.
So if you are saved:
Do something for the kingdom.
Share the gospel.
Pray for others.
Support God’s work.
Use your gifts—even if small.
God rewards faithfulness, not fame.
The door of grace is still open, but not forever.
Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV)
“It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
The world is nearing its end; we are living in the final moments of history. Jesus is coming soon.
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (NIV) speaks of the soon-coming rapture of the church.
If you die in sin today, whose presence will you enter?
There are only two destinations—Heaven or hell.
But Jesus invites you now:
Matthew 11:28 (ESV)
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Repent. Believe in Christ. Be baptized biblically (Acts 2:38, NKJV). Walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).
Revelation 22:12–13 (ESV)
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
God rewards faithfully.
God rewards generously.
God rewards sovereignly.
And God rewards beyond what we deserve.
Shalom.
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