Welcome back, last time we spoke about Loss through His eyes: that He is always Good, today we are going to look at Loss through His perspective: that He is always Fair and Faithful.
Do you remember the story Jesus tells about the Vineyard owner? Have a read in Matthew 201-16
Here’s the opening statement from Jesus..
Matthew 20:1 (TPT)
A Parable of Workers in the Vineyard
1 “This will help you understand the way heaven’s kingdom operates: “There once was a wealthy landowner who went out at daybreak to hire all the laborers he could find to work in his vineyard
Did you see it? As this will help you understand the way Heaven’s Kingdom operates. Jesus saying this story will let you know who the Father is, How He works and how He views things!
The story starts “There once was a wealthy landowner who went out at daybreak to hire all the labourers he could find to work in his vineyard, After agreeing to pay them the standard day’s wage, he put them to work. Then at he went out and took on more workers at 9am,12pm and 3pm and said he would pay them a fair wage. Hoping to finish his harvest that day, he went to the town square again at five o’clock and found more who were idle. So he said to them, ‘Why have you been here all day without work?’
“‘Because no one hired us,’ they answered.
“So he said to them, ‘Then go and join my crew and work in my vineyard.’
“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard went to his foreman and said, ‘Call in all the laborers, line them up, and pay them the same wages, starting with the most recent ones I hired and finishing with the ones who worked all day.’
“When those hired late in the day came to be paid, they were given a full day’s wage. And when those who had been hired first came to be paid, they were convinced that they would receive more. But everyone was paid the standard wage.”
Would you do this ? Or would you just pay the workers for the hours they did?
The Lord always has a plan and purpose woven into all He does to reveal His nature, remember Jesus opening statement “this story will let you know who the Father is, how He works, and how He views things”
So what was He doing?
What Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 11:19 (NLT)
“But, of course, there must be divisions among you so that you who have God’s approval will be recognized”!
When we are confronted with lose it will cause internal conflict, this conflict which causes hurt can lead us often to lose or something even greater –depending on our perspective, how we see the Father, How good, faithful and fair He is. This is what happened to the workers especially the ones who started first!
When they realized what had happened, they were offended and complained to the landowner, saying, ‘You’re treating us unfairly! They’ve only worked for one hour while we’ve slaved and sweated all day under the scorching sun. You’ve made them equal to us!’
What’s your thoughts when you hear these worker complaint? They are speaking t two words that seems to be used today by many – ENTITLEMENT & EQUITY!
First of all without the last ones the vineyard owner may not have finished the harvest in the day or time He wanted which could have caused huge lose for the vineyard owner from a business perspective and was the money His to do with what He wanted ?. Let’s see what the land owners say (REMEMBER this story is teaching us who the Father is, How He works and how He views things)
Matthew 20:13-14 (TPT)
“The landowner replied, ‘Friends, I’m not being unfair—I’m doing exactly what I said. Didn’t you agree to work for the standard wage? If I want to give those who only worked for an hour equal pay, what does that matter to you?”
KEY: He is Fair, but we have to see from His perspective (put on His eyes) to see this.
In conclusion when it comes to loss, especially like the one that lead me to write this message, His fair and faithful way allowed me to get a good exchange rate. Yes but then He gave others a better rate the next day.
Now knowing this, the next verse make sense for my loss was His answer to me.
Matthew 20:15 (TPT)
“Don’t I have the right to do what I want with what is mine? Why should my generosity make you jealous of them?’
When it comes to loss, we only see a part of the picture the Lord has painted for us or even the person or what the loss relates to! However if we ask Him then He often will allow us to see with clarity His bigger plan or purpose for the loss.
Let’s end this part there and next time I will share Loss that leads to perfection: For He is Perfect.
Challenge: Grab your journal, space with the Lord and record all He shares with you.
- God where do I struggle with ENTITLEMENT and EQUITY that is not Your way? Today would You show me and replace it with GRATTITUDE and Thankfulness to You.
- God do I see You as fair and faithful in ALL areas of my personal, ministry, business life?
- God what does Fair and Faithful look to You? I choose to pick it up and embrace this truth of Who You are no matter what, that You are Fair and Faithful to me.
- God where do I need help SEEING the bigger picture, plan You have? Please align me to Your plan and picture not my own!
- Worship Time! So many amazing songs testify to the Faithfulness of Your God, soak in one and let truth rise up in you that He is Faithful to you.
Father God, thank You that You are both Fair and Faithful to me in everything You are and do for me. Today I’m camping out here with my eyes fixed firmly on You as the Faithful and Fair one, You are God and I am not. I embrace the bigger plan and purpose You have for my life and say Yes Jesus have Your way in Me. Amen.
Craig Patten
Itinerate Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Ministries
