Don’t Begrudge God’s Generosity to Others - Matthew 19:20-20:16

In today’s passage we will see Jesus start with the pride of the twelve and rebuke in advance any believer who would judge later believers for not being as much of an ‘OB’(‘original believer’) as themselves.

Matthew 19:20-20:16

The context of the parable: Jesus’ teaching on rewards - 19:27-30

In the Bible “Fors” and “Therefores” connect the thought we just read with the thought coming.

J-O-Y comes from putting Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself third.

We might have expected Jesus to blast Peter for self-interest in 19:27. Instead Jesus stated in 19:28 that in the coming “New Genesis,” the Twelve will be uniquely rewarded for following Jesus.

Here Jesus teaches that when He reigns on earth, the 12, all of whom were Jewish in background will have special roles judging, or leading, the restored 12 tribes of Israel. (Zecheriah 12-13; Acts 1:6-11; Rev. 19-20).

What I love about Matthew 19:29 is that it teaches that anything we might consider to be sacrifices for faithfully serving Jesus are really investments that will be rewarded with a hundred-fold return-on-investment in the ages to come.

On the one hand, all believers will be rewarded in ages to come for what they do for Jesus in the age they live in. On the other hand, we should never begrudge other believers for also being generously rewarded.

The Master is always adding workers to His great work - 20:1-7

Now remember that every parable doesn’t teach every aspect of Christian truth. This parable is not telling us how to be saved like John 3:16 & Eph. 2:8-10. Here Jesus is teaching them not to be jealous of other believers.

The key thing to notice in the first part of the parable is that God is always looking to add more workers to the work in His vineyard!

God invites all believers to appreciate how wonderful grace is - V. 8-15

Jesus gave His story this shock ending to rebuke in advance any believer who would judge later believers for not being as much of an ‘OB’(‘original believer’) as themselves.

Two great applications from the generosity of our Lord:

1. Hell really will be awful for all that refuse to repent and turn to Jesus. In comparison, all who believe and go to Heaven will be astoundingly rewarded as they get to live with Jesus forever. Be excited for all who believe, no matter how late they ‘sign up.’

2. All who began a work for Christ or become instrumental in part of that work must not treat as second class citizens all those the Lord incudes in the work as it continues on – we will all be in Heaven together.