In what ways can we honor God with our "vineyard" in daily life? Key Verse “You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:10) Seeing the Vineyard as God’s Gift • Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof.” • Whatever “vineyard” God entrusts—property, paycheck, platform, talents—belongs to Him first. • Honoring Him starts with grateful acknowledgment that we are stewards, not owners. Tending What He Entrusts • Diligence: Proverbs 27:23 – “Be sure you know the state of your flocks.” Stay informed; manage responsibly. • Excellence: Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” Quality honors the Giver. • Integrity: Proverbs 11:1 – “Dishonest scales are an abomination.” Conduct business transparently and fairly. Leaving Margin for Others • Generosity is built into the command: leave gleanings so the needy can eat. – Practical spin today: budget a percentage for benevolence, schedule time to serve, open your home in hospitality. • 2 Corinthians 9:7–8 promises God supplies what we give, so fear of scarcity never has to guide us. Putting God First with the Firstfruits • Proverbs 3:9 – “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest.” • Before paying bills or expanding the business, set aside the portion that declares: “You outrank every line-item, Lord.” Resting the Vineyard • Exodus 23:11 shows God told Israel to let the land rest every seventh year. • Modern application: build Sabbath rhythms—cease striving, trust God to keep productivity from becoming idolatry. Guarding Against Greed • James 5:4 warns of withheld wages “crying out against” the rich. • Pay employees promptly, price products fairly, refuse shortcuts that exploit workers or consumers. Cultivating Fruit that Lasts • John 15:5—Jesus is the true vine; without Him we “can do nothing.” • Daily abide through Scripture and prayer so the vineyard produces love, joy, peace, and the other fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). • Results that honor God are spiritual as well as material. Using the Harvest for Gospel Advance • Luke 8:3 notes believers who used their resources to support Jesus’ ministry. • Support missionaries, fund church planting, quietly underwrite a neighbor’s camp fee—turn grapes into grace. Living With Expectancy of Inspection • Matthew 21:33-41 pictures a landowner returning to inspect his vineyard. • One day the Lord will ask how we handled His property. Living with that in view keeps motives pure and actions purposeful. Putting It All Together Honor blooms when we: 1. Recognize God’s ownership. 2. Work the vineyard with excellence and integrity. 3. Build in generosity and margin for others. 4. Give the firstfruits back to Him. 5. Rest in faith, rejecting greed. 6. Abide in Christ so spiritual fruit accompanies material yield. 7. Aim the harvest toward eternal purposes. That’s how an everyday vineyard—whatever form it takes—becomes a living testimony to the glory of God. |
    |