Lessons for a Laborer

Lessons for a Laborer

Matthew 20:1-16

Introduction:

The parable given here by Jesus – the Parable of the Landowner – is given as a response to a question posed by Peter. He has just asked Jesus, “What do I get for following you?” Perhaps latent in this question was greed, jealousy, and ambition. Interestingly, Jesus uses the story of laborers in their work places to answer Peter.

We’ve asked the question: “Is the Bible really relevant for us in the 21st century?” The lessons for the laborer then are still as applicable now. Let’s discover them together!

Ten Commandments Of Human Relations:

1.    Speak to people. There is nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting.

2.    Smile at people. It takes 72 muscles to frown; 14 to smile.

3.    Call people by name. The sweetest music is the sound of his own name.

4.    Be friendly and helpful.

5.    Be cordial. Speak and act as if everything you do is a genuine pleasure.

6.    Be genuinely interested in people. You can like everybody if you try.

7.    Be generous with praise—cautious with criticism.

8.    Be considerate of the feelings of others. It will be appreciated.

9.    Be thoughtful of the opinions of others. There are three sides to a controversy—yours, the other fellow’s, and the right one.

10.     Be alert to give service. What counts most in life is what we do for others.[1]

I.                   The Ambition

a.       Peter asks a question at the end of chapter 19 that in essence states: “What’s in it for me?”

b.      The purpose of the analogy is to teach Peter a principle about Who He is ultimately working for – and that the Lord of the Harvest will give promotion at His discretion

c.       Psalm 75:6, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.”

d.      Job 36:22, “Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?”

II.                The Analogy

a.       The principle that will be taught here is not only good for this life; but also it correlates with the kingdom of heaven.

b.      At our work places, we must practice “kingdom living.”

III.             The Agreement

a.       The first workers needed a contract – they were betting their future advancement and retirement planning on their ability to be shrewd.

b.      The last workers were idle, and given a chance, were grateful for work.

c.       The first group was similar to Peter – I need to know what’s in it for me first.

d.      The last group was leaving their “pay-scale” to the Landowner.

IV.              The Argument

a.       What do you do when the boss and the employee have a different idea of “fair?”

b.      What do you do when the ones in authority have a different perspective than those doing the grunt work?

c.       Peter was indirectly accusing Jesus of being unfair with him and the rest of the disciples. From his perspective, they should be having power, prestige, and promotion. Instead, they were simply itinerant preachers.

d.      What do you do when you feel like God has given you a “bum rap?”

e.       What did Christ do for Peter? He gently reminded him that He is still in control – we can trust Him.

f.        If you can trust Christ with your future, you can trust Him with your career.

V.                 Application

a.       Diligence in work pays off.

ILLUSTRATION:

One man challenged another to an all-day wood chopping contest.  The challenger worked very hard, stopping only for a brief lunch break.  The other man had a leisurely lunch and took several breaks during the day.  At the end of the day, the challenger was surprised and annoyed to find that the other fellow had chopped substantially more wood than he had.  "I don’t get it," he said.  "Every time I checked, you were taking a rest, yet you chopped more wood than I did."

"But you didn’t notice," said the winning woodsman, "that I was sharpening my ax when I sat down to rest." [2]

Faithful In Menial Task

W. B. Riley used to tell the story of a man who had walked the streets of Philadelphia searching for employment. One day he happened to go into the office of a well-known businessman by the name of Girard. When he asked for a job, Mr. Girard answered, “Yes, I can give you work. See that pile of bricks out there? Carry them over to the other end of the yard and stack them up.”

By nightfall the man reported that the project was completed and received his pay. When asked if there would be more work the next day, his employer said, “Yes, come in tomorrow and carry those same bricks back to where you found them.” The following morning he came in early and got busy without a word. For more than a week he was instructed to carry bricks back and forth until it was evident that he could be trusted to do exactly what he was told.

Then he was given a new and bigger responsibility—to go downtown and bid on a large quantity of sugar. Not recognizing him, the people at the auction were surprised by the bid of this total stranger. When it was accepted, the auctioneer asked who would pay the bill. “Mr. Girard,” the man replied. “I am his agent.” He had earned this position by being faithful in a menial task. [3]

b.      Diligence leads to favor (Proverbs 11:27), prosperity (Proverbs 10:4; 13:4), and honor (Proverbs 12:24; 22:29).

c.       We have a strong work ethic because we see our employment in light of God’s will.

Scripture References:

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 ~ But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 ~ For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Ephesians 6:5-8 ~ Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Diligent hands are directed by a diligent heart, and this means the discipline of the inner person. “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23).[4]

Final Reminders from Colossians 3:

1.      Obey the employer – Colossians 3:22

2.      Do your work heartily – Colossians 3:23

3.      Do it for the Lord – Colossians 3:23

He has the final day of reckoning what is due to you!

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[1]Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.

[2]Mike Lester. (2008). Illustrations of Mike Lester.

[3]Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.

[4]Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1995). Be skillful. An Old Testament study. (Pr 4:1). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.