Are you gambling with God’s grace?
Do you remember the parable of the laborers being hired to work in the vineyard? (Matthew 20)
5 groups of laborers were hired that day (Early Morning, 3rd Hour, 6th Hour, 9th Hour and 11th Hour)
Each agreed to work for 1 denarius.
The lord of the vineyard paid each man starting with the last to be hired.
The first to be hired expected a bonus because the lord gave more to the others. They worked less hours but got the same pay. Therefore those hired last got more than they earned in comparison to those that were hired first.
When the first to be hired learned they were not getting a bonus they grew upset.
Matthew 20:13-15 NKJV
[13] But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? [14] Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. [15] Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’
Proverbs 28:22 NKJV
[22] A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.
Proverbs 21:5 NKJV
[5] The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
The Bible defines “an evil eye” as “a man…(who) hastens after riches”.
None of those laborers knew they would receive a blessing when they got in line to find work that day. “If” they were given work, they expected to receive a day’s wage for a day’s work.
You cannot wait faster.
Hastening to be rich would not make work come any faster for these laborers. It was the goodness of the lord that caused their labor to be more valuable that day; but, they would have missed that blessing if they had not been in line.
I Timothy 6:6-10 NKJV
[6] Now godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [8] And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. [9] But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
You may not be able to schedule God’s supernatural grace today. You may not be able to forecast His favor.
But you can show up. You can be faithful in the little things. You can be ready. You can be godly. You can be content.
I don’t want to gamble with God’s grace. I don’t want to bet on God’s supernatural while ignoring the responsibilities of my natural.
I want to steward the “day’s wage for a day’s work” and when He causes me to increase, enjoy the “more than enough”.
Sorry, rat race. I withdraw my hand. I repent, Lord, for having an evil eye. I will not be hasty to be rich anymore. I will be faithful. Godly. Content. Ready.
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