DAY 74
Pastor Nate King
Scripture
“He replied to the one speaking for the rest, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn’t we? So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?’”
- Matthew 20:13-15 MSG
In today’s devo, Nate asks us to entertain the offensiveness of God’s mercy. Jesus told a story where a man hired laborers to work all day for a denarius, a coin equal to a day’s wages. Multiple times that day, the owner returned to the town square, inviting men to come work for what was right. At the end of the day, starting with those who had only worked about an hour, he began paying each man a denarius, even those who had worked all day, leaving them offended.
Why did the men who worked harder get the same amount as those who had labored only an hour? The generosity of the owner. We have limited resources, so we operate from a scarcity mindset, but God is infinite; His mercy never runs out. You cannot earn the mercy and goodness of God; it comes only through Jesus. He paid for it, not me, not you.
Seeing the men’s offense, the land owner inquires, “Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?” We all have the opportunity to reject stinginess, scarcity, and offense and to, instead, share mercy like it will never run out. Today, let’s celebrate God’s generosity by telling others about it and sharing it by reflecting the generosity we receive from God to the people around us.
Question: Do you lean more towards a scarcity or a generosity mindset? Where do you think that comes from?
Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, forgive me for holding others to a standard that even I can’t measure up to. Fill me with Your presence, so that love and compassion flow out of me. And as I give Your love and mercy away today, I look forward to receiving Your continued and abundant blessing of more love to share!
Family Chat: Who is the most generous person you know? What makes them a generous person? Would your friends say you are generous?
Take Action: Choose to believe in the never-ending mercy of God and to share that practically through word or deed with others today.
Additional Resources: