What attitudes should we avoid when others receive unexpected blessings, as seen in Matthew 20:9? Setting the Scene “ ‘When those who were hired about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius.’ ” (Matthew 20:9) Jesus’ parable highlights a landowner’s surprising generosity toward late-hour workers. The earlier laborers resent this unexpected blessing. Their response warns us about attitudes we should avoid whenever God blesses someone else. Attitudes to Avoid • Envy – Resenting good given to another. – “Love … does not envy.” (1 Corinthians 13:4) • Entitlement – Assuming we deserve more because of our effort or tenure. – “So you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ” (Luke 17:10) • Comparison – Measuring God’s goodness to us against His goodness to others. – “Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved … Jesus replied, ‘If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!’ ” (John 21:20-22) • Grumbling – Vocalizing dissatisfaction with God’s distribution of favor. – “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” (Philippians 2:14) • Resentment – Nursing bitterness that corrodes joy and fellowship. – “Let all bitterness, rage, and anger … be removed from you.” (Ephesians 4:31) • Self-righteousness – Believing our record obligates God to reward us more. – Paralleled in the elder brother’s attitude (Luke 15:28-30). Healthy Replacements • Celebrate others – “Rejoice with those who rejoice.” (Romans 12:15) • Gratitude for undeserved grace – “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” (James 1:17) • Trust in God’s fairness – “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25) • Humility before the Giver – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) Key Takeaways 1. God’s blessings operate on grace, not strict human calculation. 2. Envy and entitlement rob us of joy and fellowship. 3. Rejoicing in another’s gain honors the Giver and strengthens unity. |
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