New versus Old

This is a great parable for Thanksgiving.

‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’ - Matthew 20:1-16

Usually when I hear or read this story of a generous manager who gets challenged by the people he tries to help, I think of money and what our labor is worth to someone.

It is a natural reaction since the story is about payment for work done.

But given that today is Thanksgiving, what if we look at this in terms of gratitude?

This is the time of year when nonprofit organizations seek donations from their supporters and solicit them from prospects.  When that check comes in from someone new are we more or less grateful to them than to those who have been supporting us all the time?

We welcome the new donors and celebrate them, but we also applaud the ones who come back year after year, don't we?

Or what about family members?  Are we more in love with the new baby than the older child or our spouse?

There is no limit to love or gratitude, and that, I think, is what Jesus is trying to show us.  God loves us and shares that abundant unearned love with all of us, regardless of when we come on the scene or when we return to Him.

So, as we gather around our tables today, whether family and friends are with us or not, let us revel in the joy of gratitude and love for all in our lives and all who will enter.

It isn't a competition.

More to come...