The other side of fairness and quality of life! 4
Please do not misunderstand what I mean. I am not talking about the opposite side of fairness.
I am talking about the giving side of fairness and the receiving side of fairness.
Such as each New Year’s red envelope giving to children! The giving side decides how much they will put in.
The receiving side simply gracefully accepts it and be happy for whatever it is in side! All are happy and life is good!
But when children start comparing what is in side with other children and found different amount in it!
Bitterness arises and may be fights created! This gift giving, then become a source of trouble!
If each child enjoy whatever they got, all are happy and life is good.
So please let us learn this lesson carefully! How much quality life we may enjoy depends on it! Or how much trouble we may create for ourselves!
A. Understanding the story: Matt.20:1-15
1. The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his land.
To this group of workers, he agreed with them to pay them each a penny for a day’s work.
2. At 9 a.m. he hired more workers. And promised to pay what is fair.
He did not specify what he will pay them. He promised to pay what is fair.
As told in the story. What is fair to him means whatever he decided to pay them!
3. At noon and 3 p.m. he hired more workers to work. And the reason for hiring them is no one else hired them!
To these the Bible did not specify how he will pay these people. We assume he will pay them what is fair.
4. The last group he decided to hire is at 5 p.m. and the reason is no one else hired them!
5. The day’s work was done at 6 p.m. Look like at the time their work day is 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
It is time to pay after work is done! He paid them from the last to the first who came to work for him.
To those hired at 5 p.m. He paid them each 1 penny.
Those came to work earlier saw it and think to themselves. They will be paid more!
But to their surprise, the owner paid each of them the same 1 penny.
B. Here comes the complain:
1. Those only worked for 1 hour got 1 penny, same as we who worked for the whole hot day!
2. Most work was done by us. They only did a little! This sure looks very unfair to all!
3. These complain arise because they look and compare what others got their pay!
C. But here is the owner’s reply:
1. “I am not unfair to you! You and I agreed on a penny for a day of work!”
This is very important for all of us to learn and remember!
Yes! Thank God, I was able to finish a hot day’s work and got the pay which I was promised!
Thanks to the owner and praise the Lord. All are happy and life is good!
The gap between the rich and the poor no matter how large or how big it may be, there is no problem!
We can still life in peace and enjoy quality life!
But when we look to others and compare what we have with what other have, we are in trouble!
2. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Matt.20:1-15
Ask yourself this same question! Am I allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?
I know you will say, of course! I earn it! I deserve to do what I choose with what belongs to me!It is fair and square!
Thanks God, I have a job! Thank God and thank my employer for the job I have!
Praised the Lord, I can do what I choose to do with what belongs to me! I am happy and life is good!
D. Suddenly I think I have found the secret which Paul talked about!
1. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Phil.4:11-12
2. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Heb. 13:5
3. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief.
1 Tim.6:10
E. Conclusion:
Be thankful for who we are and what we have. Stop looking to others on who they are and what they have!
All are happy in the church and at home! Praise the Lord. Life is good!
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Written on July 17, 2010.