Philip Yancey: Grumbling and Generosity

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.

He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.

‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them, ‘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?’” “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:1-16

“In a rabbinic story of the time, the owner of a farm went into town to hire temporary workers for the harvest. The day wore on, and as late as the eleventh hour he recruited one last batch of workers, who had a mere hour remaining to prove their worth. In the familiar version of the story, the latecomers made up for lost time by working so hard that the foreman decided to reward them with a whole day’s pay. Jesus’ version, though, says nothing about the diligence of the workers. He accents instead the generosity of the employer — God — who lavishes His grace on veterans and newcomers alike. No one gets cheated and everyone gets rewarded, far beyond what they deserve.”

Philip Yancey (b. 1949) in The Jesus I Never Knew: Revealing What 2,000 Years of History Have Covered Up (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996) 95.

I got my NICNT Commentary on Matthew out and, sure enough, R.T France notes the following (748).

“An early fourth century B.C. rabbinic parable (y. Ber. 2:8 = Eccl. Rab. 5.11.5; Cant. Rab. 6/2/6) at first sight seems closer to that of Jesus, in that one man who only worked two hours is given the same pay as those who worked all day, but this is justified by the judgment that he had accomplished more in two hours than they had in the whole day.”

So when we sit with Phil and read this text with this fresh insight, we see Jesus is trying to get them to understand grace. The denarius comes not because they deserve it but because God is generous.

So notice the source of the grumbling. It’s the mindset of the world but of God’s people in that day.

It flows out of the entitlement mentality related to work. When Jesus started the parable, they were probably thinking it would end with with the “equal work with equal pay” conclusion based on merit.

This would have been a prevailing cultural mindset then, and we see it today.

People who think they should get what they deserve need to look in the mirror and say out loud, “Because of my sin, I deserve death and no amount of hard work can make things right.”

That’s why Jesus would accomplish the work for us, dying for our sins on the cross.

Back to the parable. Only when we understand that a denarius was one day’s wages and be sufficient supply for a person to live do we stop grumbling and see the generosity of God.

God is the landowner. He wants everyone to work in His vineyard. Whether you come at the start of the day or the end of the day, He will supply what you need. That’s generosity. That’s grace.

So for us, we need to stop grumbling about what we do not have. Give thanks for what we have. And invite everyone we know to labor in His kingdom and trust Him for daily bread.

And notice I changed the header photo to Bear Creek. This will be my world over the next week. Sammy (our son), Emily, Eve, and Ellie will travel to California with Sophie (our daughter) and Peter to see their grandparents in honor of their 65th wedding anniversary.

I get to stay at Sammy and Emily’s place and house sit and watch their two dogs. I will be walking this trail many times a day. What a privilege to help them go have a great trip starting tomorrow!

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

“The poor, the hungry, the mourners, and the oppressed truly are blessed. Not because of their miserable states, of course—Jesus spent much of his life trying to remedy those miseries. Rather, they are blessed because of an innate advantage they hold over those more comfortable and self-sufficient. People who are rich, successful, and beautiful may well go through life relying on their natural gifts. People who lack such natural advantages, hence underqualified for success in the kingdom of this world, just might turn to God in their time of need. Human beings do not readily admit desperation. When they do, the kingdom of heaven draws near.”

Philip Yancey (b. 1949) in The Jesus I Never Knew: Revealing What 2,000 Years of History Have Covered Up (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996) 116-117.

Today we turn our attention to a friend and amazing author in Colorado, Phil Yancey. Phil taught me some of his writing disciplines which have shaped my writing.

Today’s post shows the beauty of the kingdom. When we have limited wealth because we have stored it up in heaven, we gain an innate advantage. We don’t try to do things ourselves.

We take the posture that says, “Jesus I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.” Those who are rich tend to rely on their privileged position to excel.

The paradox of generosity that is sacrificial and puts us in a place of dependence on God is that it puts us in a better position to rely on and experience His hand and help in our lives.

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

“Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.”

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 1.

I try not to travel internationally in July. It’s our anniversary and my wife’s birthday month.

This year I also need to get a new passport as mine is full. While spending July in Colorado I plan to explore Colorado voices that shape the modern generosity conversation.

Few speak more strongly into the vision to live simply and give generously better than Richard Foster.

He acknowledges first and foremost that we live in an era where people exhibit superficiality and expect instant gratification and describe this situation as a spiritual problem. He’s right.

Superficiality often links to the purchase of possessions, memberships, and experiences to exhibit a certain status or maintain some level of appearance or reputation in society.

Instant gratification says I want it all for myself, for my family, for my grandchildren, and I want it now. Money becomes the power to get what you want. That’s the spiritual side of this.

When we use money the way God designs we don’t have resources to buy everything we want, when we want it. When we live sacrificially, we make it so our lusts, our wants, our desires don’t control us.

We also position ourselves to depend on God not for everything we want but what He knows we need. These are the lessons that deep people learn. We need more deep people today.

Praying for Daily Meditations reader, Steven Jankord, to have a good surgery today. He’s a deep guy. He’s needed for many more years of kingdom work. Pray with me for a good surgery and full recovery in Jesus name.

Making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16

“We fear the future because we are wasting today.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997).

Sorry for the late post. I had a challenging day of travel and I am still only as far as Houston. I thought it had posted, but it had not, hence it is arriving a bit late.

Fear is a leading hindrance to generosity. Mother Teresa brings out an interesting dynamic here that fear of the future links to our stewardship today.

When we feel good about doing what we can for God with what we have, we have no fear of the future. The more He entrusts to us, the more responsibility.

Our stewardship either flows from fear of God or fear of the future. Which fear drives you?

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28

“The reason for our existence is to quench the thirst of Jesus. When he asked for water, the soldier gave Him vinegar to drink — but His thirst was for love, for souls, for you and me.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997).

On my last day in Brazil, when I was searching for Irma Dulce Lopes Pontes, I kept finding quotes related to Mother Teresa as they were contemporaries. This one touched me.

The reason for our existence – the reason we are on this round ball called earth – is to give ourselves, our resources, our lives like Jesus did – for love, for souls, and for others.

But lean into the word “quench” with me. God gave humanity through Jesus what we needed. He quenched our thirst. So we get to give others what they need, when we do that Jesus says we do it for Him.

When we quench their thirst, we quench His. What would it look like for you to quench the thirst of someone in need today?

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15

“If there is some corner of the world which has remained peaceful, but with a peace based on injustices the peace of a swamp with rotten matter fermenting in its depths – we may be sure that that peace is false. Violence attracts violence. Let us repeat fearlessly and ceaselessly: injustices bring revolt, either from the oppressed or from the young, determined to fight for a more just and more human world.”

Hélder Câmara (1909-1999) in Spiral of Violence, trans. Della Couling (Denville, NJ, 1971), p. 33.

The hardest part of about my work globally is the reality that I live in two worlds and I belong to a third one. Let me speak in general terms to try to paint the picture. These points reflect my thoughts after reading Câmara.

1. People in the developed world think peace is the ceasing of war, the experience of comfort, the possession of money, the absence of relational challenges, a rising stock market, the attainment of a bucket list, the collection of memories, and more.

They stockpile money and act like they own it. They ignore the explicit teachings of Jesus which say not to store up treasures on earth. They rationalize disobedience calling it “saving for retirement” and often die in a nursing home alone.

Generosity for these people, looks like either trying to solve problems, as sacrificial giving, or as sharing surplus beyond a high standard of living. I don’t feel like I belong here. I don’t want to conform to such ways.

Through my service I try to remind them of this fact: This world is not our home. We should not act like it is.

2. People in the majority or undeveloped world think peace is having food to eat, dodging the violence and victimization of corrupt systems, getting something accomplished without paying a bribe, and living to survive another day.

They put to work what they have and celebrate if they have food, clothing, and a roof over their head. They don’t have air conditioning or heaters. They live in multigenerational homes working together to care for children and elderly.

Generosity for them is often limited by hoarding. Others share the food they prepared that day and have no fridge or freezer. Some give from their poverty to God, find life, and taste pure joy. I want to share their stories widely.

In my work I try to remind them of this fact: This world is not our home. We should point people not to a better life but to eternal life.

3. People who live for the eternal kingdom know that the only peace on earth is found in Jesus Christ. They know that all earthly systems, whether they be capitalism, socialism, communism, or totalitarianism are broken and flawed.

These people live simply, give generously, and buy things but don’t act as owners. They use things as tools for accomplishing God’s purposes. They put capital to work to create jobs, build God’s kingdom, and point others to Jesus.

Generosity for them appears as enjoying and sharing God’s blessings as distributors. They focus not on what they cannot do because of what they do not but on giving God what they have. They don’t fight for justice. They model the justice of Christ.

I try to remind them of this fact: This world is not our home. The land of unthinkable joy and everlasting peace awaits.

Where are you? Trying to preserve some earthly existence with false peace? Awaiting the next revolt, the ripping apart of generations, or earthly savior? Or are you pouring all you are and all you have into making known the Kingdom of Christ?

Choose door #3. I am starting year 17 of Daily Meditations with a call to live generously for the Prince of Peace.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

“Accept surprises that upset your plans, shatter your dreams, give a completely different turn to your day and who knows? – to your life. Leave the Father free Himself to weave the pattern of your days.”

Hélder Câmara (1909-1999) in The Westminster Collection of Christian Quotations (Louisville: WJKP, 2001) 1.

Every trip I take is an adventure filled with surprises.

I tend to be open to whatever God does because the majority world, where I do most of my work, is so unstructured and unpredictable. I find it harder when I am at home. I want things to go a certain way.

I am learning to “Leave the Father free Himself to weave the pattern of my days.”

Notice what He can give us only when we do. He can give us a completely different turn. He can move mountains, do miracles, shower blessings, bring suffering, and so much more. He just wants us to trust Him.

When He gives us a completely different turn, may we be receptive.

Today marks 16 years of Daily Meditations. I show 5,820 posts. Praise God. What an adventure! Thanks to all you who have enjoyed the surprises from me each morning for so many years. I do it for God but I hope it blesses you on the way.

Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14

“Whenever you can, speak of love and with love to someone. It’s good to the ears of those who hear and to the soul of those who speak.”

Irma Dulce Lopes Pontes (1914-1992).

I resonate with this quote by Pontes. My centering prayer before speaking is this: “Father in heaven, fill me with your Spirit and love to speak truth in love.” I have prayed this with my team and translator repeatedly this week.

By God’s grace the trip is going good. It’s actually going beyond all imagination in Brazil. Stay tuned for a trip report to illustrate this. In the meantime, I must ask. With whom can act generously by speaking with love?

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:35-36

“If you hope for mercy, show mercy. If you look for kindness, show kindness. If you want to receive, give… Give to the poor, and you give to yourself.”

Peter Chrysologus (406-450).

While looking for writings of Brazilian saints, I twice found them quoting this Italian. I find it interesting to see what saints inspire the Christian movement here. Why? Brazil has the #2 population of Christians in the world behind USA.

And I love Peter Chrysologus. His thoughts today stopped me in my tracks. So profound! Ponder them with me. And the timing is providential as I just read these verses in my sermon Sunday night in Rio de Janiero.

I normally write in “we” (first person plural) language. But at times like this, when the content is so powerful, I shift to “you” language (second person singular). I do this if I want “you” the reader to internalize these ideas.

When you show the mercy, kindness, and generosity you hope to receive, and when you give to the poor, you discover that you are really showing mercy, kindness, and generosity to yourself and giving to yourself. You don’t figure it out until you live it out.

Did you catch that. Don’t miss it. The best think you can do for yourself is live, give, serve, and love generously, mercifully, and kindly. It maps the only way for you to experience life in all its fullness.

And consider more responses coming in from readers to the “Two Pencils and One Keyboard” post.

One reader wrote, “I am the warm smile with the crinkling of the eyes reflecting outward the joy within me. Rejoice in Lord, again I say rejoice.”

Another one said, “I am a kite, tethered to the earth for this moment in time, but made by God to look upward, reach higher, and be still. The higher I go with God the more awe, wonder, and joy I can spread in his name as others look up. If I look down and cling to the earth I become unstable and uninspiring, yielding the disinterest of men as I erratically change course with the shifting winds.”

Keep being the kite or the keyboard, the pencils or glasses, the guitar or the note card, and all the other great words that have been shared or that keep coming in.

Everything is connected to everything else. When you play your play our part, you bless others and the blessing returns to yourself.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

“Charity is gentle and benign, he who has this virtue does not withdraw easily, does not misjudge, nor is disturbed by any cause, and is very capable of calming and composing the most uncontrolled tempers and tempers.”

Anthony of Saint Anne Galvão (1739-1822).

Charity is love seasoned with grace and generosity. Notice it moves toward and not away from difficulty. Nothing phases, disturbs, or provokes it. It stays calm and composed even in hard situations when all others unravel.

Preaching went great yesterday, thanks to the generosity of God and His provision of two messages and one great translator, people got the messages! See the new header photo from one of the churches. My privilege was delivering them with gentleness and authority.

Today, I speak to more than 500 businesspersons. It’s another big event. As I sit with the Lord, I discern that charity is not giving them what I think they need but what God reveals to me as I move toward them.

What I mean by that is that I have a sense of the biblical content He wants me to deliver. I just don’t know how He wants me to package and share it. I pray he helps me not misjudge but to continue to touch hearts in a calm and composed way.