The Lord looks at us differently than we see ourselves. Jesus told stories so that people would understand some of His viewpoint. Of course, Gods viewpoint is eternal and is therefore very important to us. Because He thinks differently than humans we must change our thinking.
When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told the supervisor, ‘Call the workers, and give them their wages. Start with the last, and end with the first.' 9 “Those who started working about 5 p.m. came, and each received a day's wages. 10 When those who had been hired first came, they expected to receive more. But each of them received a day's wages. 11 Although they took it, they began to protest to the owner. 12 They said, ‘These last workers have worked only one hour. Yet, you've treated us all the same, even though we worked hard all day under a blazing sun.' 13 “The owner said to one of them, ‘Friend, I'm not treating you unfairly. Didn't you agree with me on a day's wages? 14 Take your money and go! I want to give this last worker as much as I gave you. 15 Can't I do what I want with my own money? Or do you resent my generosity towards others?' 16 “In this way the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matt 20:8-16 (GW)
These workers attempted to tell God how to run His business. It seems that people of all ages are trying to tell God how Christianity works today. The fact is that we are fallen beings and our opinion must not be relied on at all. Some people say that God’s view is old fashioned and does not work for people today. Their goal is not that of a servant of Jesus. Unworthy.
42 The Lord asked, “Who, then, is the faithful, skilled manager that the master will put in charge of giving the other servants their share of food at the right time? 43 That servant will be blessed if his master finds him doing this job when he comes. 44 I can guarantee this truth: He will put that servant in charge of all his property. 45 On the other hand, that servant may think that his master is taking a long time to come home. The servant may begin to beat the other servants and to eat, drink, and get drunk. 46 His master will return at an unexpected time. Then his master will punish him severely and assign him a place with unfaithful people. … A lot will be expected from everyone who has been given a lot. Luke 12:42-48 (GW)
It is hard to believe but there are people who learned what God wanted from them years ago but they are not doing it. These servants have begun to live unto themselves. Any church person that has joined “the club” but fails to serve others as the Lord has asked them is in big trouble. Most of these people are doing their own thinking. They must repent and seek God. Unworthy.
7 “Suppose someone has a servant who is plowing fields or watching sheep. Does he tell his servant when he comes from the field, ‘Have something to eat'? 8 No. Instead, he tells his servant, ‘Get dinner ready for me! After you serve me my dinner, you can eat yours.' 9 He doesn't thank the servant for following orders. 10 That's the way it is with you. When you've done everything you're ordered to do, say, ‘We're worthless servants. We've only done our duty.'” Luke 17:7-10 (GW)
Many people feel that God owes them a “thank you.” Nothing could be further from the truth. We owe our very life to the Creator and our sin makes us totally worthless. God wants to redeem us and make us part of His eternity. How could he owe us anything? Unworthy.
12 He said, “A prince went to a distant country to be appointed king, and then he returned. 13 {Before he left,} he called ten of his servants and gave them ten coins. He said to his servants, ‘Invest this money until I come back… 15 “After he was appointed king, he came back. Then he said, ‘Call those servants to whom I gave money…16 “The first servant said, ‘Sir, the coin you gave me has earned ten times as much.' 17 “The king said to him, ‘Good job! You're a good servant. You proved that you could be trusted with a little money. Take charge of ten cities… (to the one who did nothing) 23 Why didn't you put my money in the bank? When I came back, I could have collected it with interest.' 24 The king told his men, ‘Take his coin away, and give it to the man who has ten.' 25 “They replied, ‘Sir, he already has ten coins.' 26 “‘I can guarantee that everyone who has (gained) something will be given more. But everything will be taken away from those who don't have much. Luke 19:12-26 (GW)
God has given every person things to do. Of course, if we do not seek God with our life we will never know what He wants us to do. Everyone that serves Jesus HAS THINGS TO DO and must get busy doing them. To ignore God qualifies us as Unworthy.
6 So we are always confident. We know that as long as we are living in these bodies, we are living away from the Lord. 7 Indeed, our lives are guided by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident and prefer to live away from this body and to live with the Lord. 9 Whether we live in the body or move out of it, . 2 Cor 5:6-9 (GW)
There is only one way we will ever become worthy and that is to place ourselves completely in the service of Jesus. Being in the service of God is through obedience to the Spirit of Jesus. Having the Spirit living in us does bring assurance that we are pleasing God.
