The Parable of the Vineyard Workers

Jesus told a parable about a landowner employing laborers for his vineyard (Matt. 20:1-16). Those hired early in the morning agree to the customary daily wage, whereas others recruited throughout the day end up receiving the same amount. 

From a worldly point of view, those who labored for the shorter periods were in a favorable position compared to the ones who worked the longest. But from the heavenly perspective, what a blessing it is to serve God on earth for as long as possible! 

The apostle James was killed after only about 14 years of preaching the gospel (Acts 12:2). The apostle Peter reportedly died as a martyr after approximately 35 years of service. The apostle John is believed to have died of old age after seven decades of apostolic ministry. Which one was short-changed? 

The later in life one puts off obeying and serving Christ, the more he or she misses out on what is truly worthwhile. George Bailey (the gospel preacher) observed that many people waiting to be saved at the 11th hour die at 9:30. If I wait too long or too late, I miss out on immeasurable blessings both in this life and in the age to come (Mark 10:30).

--Kevin L. Moore

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The Parable of the Rich Fool

In Luke 12, as Jesus speaks to “an innumerable multitude of people” (v. 1, NKJ), he issues solemn warnings and teaches important spiritual truths. Then one from the crowd says to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me” (v. 13). This has nothing to do with what the Lord had been talking about and is a selfish, materialistic, trivial request. Jesus seems a bit irritated as he responds, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” (v. 14). One day all will stand before his judgment seat, but here the Lord refuses to get caught up in worldly affairs, so he looks beyond this self-centered individual and again addresses the crowd: “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (v. 15). This, then, prompts him to share a parable.

“The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’” (vv. 16b-17). Beyond talking to himself, he could have thanked God for his abundant blessings. He could have offered the first of his increase to the Lord. He could have donated the excess to the poor. But apparently he was too self-absorbed to think this way.

So he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry’” (vv. 18-19). The problem here is not that he was preparing for the future, but he seems to have had no consideration for God or for anyone other than himself.

“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (vv. 20-21). This man, despite his great wealth, was impoverished toward God because he was earthly focused, selfish, and spiritually unprepared.

What are my priorities? Am I earthly focused? The Bible says, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2). Am I selfish? The Bible says, “[love] does not seek its own” (1 Cor. 13:5b). Am I spiritually unprepared? The Bible says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2b).

--Kevin L. Moore

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Strategic Flexibility in Christian Service

As Paul planned his second missionary campaign (Acts 15:36), little did he know that his long-standing partnership would disintegrate, the first two targeted mission fields would be blocked, his customary strategy of initiating the work in synagogues would be unsuitable at the first location, he would be forced to prematurely leave the first three mission points, and he would face other unanticipated disruptions all along the way (Acts 15:37–18:17). Paul still made definite plans, but he was flexible enough to deal with unforeseen circumstances as they arose, while he trusted that all things would ultimately work together for good (Acts 18:21; Romans 8:28).

God works through fallible human instruments and expects us to actively participate. But none of us is smart enough to think through everything in advance. People and circumstances are unpredictable. There is always an element of uncertainty, requiring adaptability and adjustment. Despite the inevitable challenges, when we have done our imperfect best, even if we fall short, God fulfills his purpose. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV).

--Kevin L. Moore

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