The Gift You Can’t Deserve
Read The Daily:
“Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?” – Matthew 20:15
When I taught at a local high school for several years, I would never assign group projects. Nothing wrong with them in general, but I hated them in school because it was always the same. The people who care about their grades will make sure the project is really good. The people who don’t, will sit back and not do anything. However, they all get the same grade. It just didn’t seem fair.
One of the most frustrating things in life is watching someone else get what you feel you deserved. The promotion. The relationship. The opportunity. It eats at us. Because somewhere deep inside, we believe life should be “fair.”
But Jesus’ parable about the workers flips that. Some worked all day. Some barely showed up. And yet everyone got paid the same. It’s maddening—until you realize we’re all the last-minute workers. None of us could ever grind hard enough to earn God’s love. So He just gives it away.
Instead of being jealous of grace given to others, what if we celebrated it? Because every time God shows kindness to someone “undeserving,” it’s another reminder that He’ll show kindness to us too. Grace isn’t about what you earn. It’s about what He gives.
Prayer for the Day
God what are you showing me? What am I going to do about it?
God help me to see one person that I can serve through a kind word, random act of kindness, or simple gift today?
Make sure you complete the reading or comment today.
Read The New Testament In A Year
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?” “No,” they replied. “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one! For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.” “Look, Lord,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.” “That’s enough,” he said. Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.” He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.” Luke 22:31-46
Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to pay attention to what I have written in this brief exhortation. I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released from jail. If he comes here soon, I will bring him with me to see you. Greet all your leaders and all the believers there. The believers from Italy send you their greetings. May God’s grace be with you all. Hebrews 13:20-25