Monday, September 10, 2012

THAT'S NOT FAIR

Have you ever said that? If not, have you thought it. Maybe we all have. "That's not fair." I remember when one of our children was at a stage when deep offence was taken any time a teacher did something that seemed "not fair."If you are a parent of more than one child, you've probably heard this phrase when one child is being disciplined and not the other; or when one is receiving more than the other whatever it is - larger dessert, larger allowance, getting a second turn, etc.
In a marvellous parable, Jesus puts these words - to be accurate, puts this attitude; the reaction typified by these words - in the mouths of those who work much longer, but receive the same pay. Remember the story? Matthew 20:1 - 16 It seems that the kingdom of heaven is not quite like the average "pay per hour" job. So many religious people feel it is, don't they?
If I put in x number of hours of church attendance, good deeds, Bible reading, or _________, then I will receive a nice life, financial prosperity, protection from harm, eternal life, or _________. The blanks may be filled in differently but the perspective is the same. If you put in something good and/or religious, you should get a fair something from God in return.
Jesus says that the landowner, accused by the workers, didn't see it that way. In the story, he replies:

 ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ Matthew 20:13 - 15

In God's kingdom, the guiding principe is grace not merit. Judging by the legalism found in so many religions and among so many Christians, this is a hard concept for us to grasp. As Donald Carson writes in his commentary on Matthew:
"God's great gifts, simply because they are God's, are distributed, not because they are earned, but because he is gracious."Those who have understood the heart of the Christian faith are humbled and grateful because we know and we count on, not God's justice or fairness but upon His great, amazing grace.

No comments:

Post a Comment