Once upon a time there was a wealthy manufacturer who needed extra workers. First thing in the morning he called the local Unemployment Office and hired several people at the going hourly rate. Three hours later he realized that due to a surge in sales he made the same deal with some more workers. Business was booming and, sure enough, he needed still more personnel a couple of hours later, and again one hour before closing to beat the deadline. Boy, was he happy to get all the orders out on time! All the workers were happy to bring home some wages that day as they had been unemployed for some time. They gratefully thanked their boss as he handed them their cheques and went on their way.



Then suddenly something happened! As they ripped open their pay envelope, there were some excited outcries of "Wow!" It was soon discovered that everybody had the same identical paycheque! Even those who had just joined that very last hour were being paid a full day's wages! "There must be some mistake," said those who had slaved all day, and turned back to let the owner know that Payroll had made some major blunders. "Not so," explained the gentleman, "did the Human Relations Department not make a deal with you when they hired you, and were you not satisfied with the offer?" They acknowledged that was so, but complained that it was just not fair.

The kind man replied simply that it was his right to give as he had done, and asked them why they saw evil in his act of benevolence. He sent them on their way with these words: "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." This account took place before Pay Equity and unions came into effect! Yes, if you guessed that it is a contemporary paraphrase of the Gospel of Matthew 20: 1-16, you're correct!

From this parable you learn that the kingdom of heaven is not exactly run as a democracy or any other 'just society' here on earth! God is God and, although he invites everyone into the Kingdom and many accept His conditions, He looks at the heart. He chooses to bless those who please Him!

Jesus gave Peter a glimpse into the future as to how he was to die. However, when Peter countered and asked how the apostle John would meet his maker, He answered: "If I will that he tarry 'till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me." (John 21:22) That was rather direct, wasn't it? The bottom line is: are you prepared to do His Will in love for Him and let Him be the judge?

"God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17) Are you doing what He is asking of you? Isn't it great that our wonderful God chooses to welcome one sinner from his deathbed in the Kingdom? Yet you, who may have been saved since childhood, have had the choice to walk in the Light all these years. You were called; but are you chosen? Will you choose to abide under His Wings (Ps. 91:1), walk in His ways, and delight yourself in Him? When He blesses others around you, rejoice! Take heart; because what He does for others, He can do for you! He "is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think." (Eph. 3:20)

Praise God that you do not have to earn your way into heaven. No amount of good works can do it for you! Only the shed Blood of Jesus Christ! If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. (Rom. 10:9) Is that fair? No; you don't deserve it and He knows that you cannot pay the price. He paid for your soul by His sacrifice on the cross. It's His most precious gift to you!

Copyright 2006 Ann Stewart