Payday
Laura Digan
August 17, 2024
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Listen to this daily worship
Matthew 20: 1-16 (NRSVA)
1 ‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; 4 and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6 And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” 7 They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” 9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” 13 But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’
If you have been following Sanctuary First for a while you will know I love animals and my family includes a number of furry babies. My grandson Alfie sometimes asks which of the animals I love the most. And my answer? I love them equally. They may be all different but I love them all equally, no matter who has been part of my furry family the longest. Cheeko might like to think he is my favourite seeing as he has been with me the longest but I love all my furry babies equally. Even wee Luna the cat who just joined us a few months ago! As soon as she came to live with us my heart expanded with love. That is why I have a couple of foster fails. Once you join my furry family it is for life!
Isn’t it wonderful that we have a God who loves each of us all equally, who welcomes all of us into his Kingdom, no matter at what stage in our life we come to him. Everyone is equally precious, everyone is equally valued.
How does this truth then challenge/change/influence how we love one another?
Prayer:
Father God,
Fill us with a desire to love as you love
Amen
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