Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?'
The LORD is generous with his blessings. Let us avail ourselves of his generosity. It isn't about what we earn when we work on in the vineyard of the master. The master offers us work because the work itself is good. If we have been in the field all day rather than idle we may be tempted to hold it against those called in the last hour. But it is a privilege to work in the vineyard. Unless we realize that the work itself is a great grace we will tend to envy others and be chained to comparison and competition. The wage paid is paid to all who are willing to work for the master. It is not based on how much work we do. He gives a usual wage to all workers because he knows what we need.
Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call him while he is near.
It is not too late. The LORD is still calling. If we get used to idling in the marketplace we might assume that we will end the day without a job, without a purpose, and without a way to receive blessings from the LORD. But we need only listen. If we are idle we can be sure that the LORD has words to speak. He has an invitation to offer. He has a vineyard for us to tend. This will look different for each individual. But for each of us there is a call.
Paul is completely willing to listen to the call of the LORD. He has a strong desire to be with the LORD now. He wants to end his day and receive his payment. What could be better?
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh,
that means fruitful labor for me.
He is willing to go on living in the flesh if the master of the vineyard tells him there is more to be done. He is willing to keep at it for the sake of his flock. And therein do we see the meaning of the value of work in the vineyard. It is the value of love of others. It is something so wonderful that it leads to an ability to forget ourselves and the blessings which we are promised. They are not lost. They are multiplied as the vineyard produces more and more fruit.
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
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