READ: MATTHEW 20:1-16; 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-15

Veena had to hold herself back from running to the fruit stand. She’d finished her first week on the job—pulling weeds from the pine-melon fields—and now after a long week, she’d saved enough money to buy one of her own. The deep green melons shone in the morning sun, each one perfectly ripe. It would make the perfect breakfast.

Veena carefully looked over the melons and picked out the best one. She handed her large silver coins to the vendor and awaited her change. Something was wrong. The vendor scowled at the coins and then turned that scowl to Veena.

“Where’ja get these?” He held up her wages.

“I just got paid this morning. I-I work on the pine-melon farm,” Veena stuttered, panic creeping into her voice.

“These…” The vendor clinked the coins on the counter for emphasis. “Are fakes. How’d you even get your hands on these? And what kind of establishment do ya think I’m running here that I wouldn’t recognize fake coin?” Now he was shouting at Veena. Tears started to well up in her eyes.

“I didn’t know! I promise I didn’t know! This is my first job. I just thought—”

Someone interrupted Veena, stepping between her and the vendor. “Excuse me, kind sir. I’ll pay for the pine-melons. One for me and one for the young lady.” This stranger gave Veena a glance, noting her shrunken frame and shaky hands. “Actually, make that five for the lady and one for me.” The man dropped two golden coins on the table and picked out his melons, handing the five to Veena. The vendor grumbled but collected the money on the counter.

“Th-thank you!” Veena blurted out. She didn’t even know this man, yet he’d bought her not one but five melons.

“You said you worked at one of the pine-melon farms? Well, if they’re giving you fake coin as wages, why don’t you come and work for me instead? I have plenty of room for new workers in my field, and I promise the wages will be more than fair.”

Veena looked up at him in astonishment. Then a smile spread across her face. With her arms full of pine-melons, she nodded and followed the generous stranger. • Naomi Zylstra

• Today’s story is an allegory based on a parable Jesus told in Matthew 20:1-16. Jesus said, “So the last will be first, and the first last” (verse 16). How does this parable reveal God’s generosity? 

• Jesus invites us to follow Him, to entrust ourselves to His leadership. Read John 10:10-11. How has Jesus shown Himself to be worthy of our trust? (If you want to know more about trusting Jesus, check out our “Know Jesus” page.)

• Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. As Christians, we follow our generous Lord, who calls us to be generous to others. What are some practical ways you could show generosity today?

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (WEB)