In this parable, five different groups of workers are hired. The first group complains when those who work only the last hour get paid the same wages as themselves. These are performance-based Christians. They think because they avoid certain sins, God’s getting a good deal. Instead of rejoicing with those who come late to the Kingdom, they’re resentful. They’re easy to spot because they’ve three characteristics: 

(1) A complaining spirit. 

They overlook the good, magnify the bad, and seek out people who agree with them. They’ve a complaining spirit and it’s deadly; it kills churches and hearts! What’s the cure? Continual gratitude for what God’s already done, and is still doing. 

(2) A resentful spirit. 

Instead of resting in God’s grace, they act like duty-bound soldier– conscripts, not volunteers. They struggle constantly for God’s approval, never seem to measure up, and their hostility prevents them from experiencing joy. However, the moment they begin to reflect on God’s love for them, their resentment begins to ease. 

(3) A judgmental spirit. 

‘It’s not fair,’ they think. ‘I did the work and they get the credit!’ They forget that God dispenses gifts – not wages. He doesn’t ‘…repay us according to our iniquities’ (Psalm 103:10 NIV), but lavishes us with love and mercy. 

So who are these grace-based Christians? Latecomers with no contracts or guarantees; their relationship with God is based solely on grace. They’re happy with whatever He’s offering, humbled by His goodness, and motivated to work by overwhelming gratitude. So, which are you – performance-based or grace-based?

"Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare his praise? Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them, that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise....

Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Praise be to the LORD , the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, "Amen!" Praise the LORD ."

(Many of the reflections on each page are used with the kind permission of United Christian Broadcastors (UCB) from their FREE daily devotional - The Word for Today. They allow the publication of 52 of their passages per year and I find their messages apt and though-provoking for the times we live in.)

A Circle of Prayer around the world praying for and with each other, for peace and for a world in crisis. Please read more about it and perhaps join us, prayer was never more needed than it is in these times!

Praying all year round for the souls of our deceased relatives and friends, for the souls of those most in need of prayer and for those souls in purgatory who have nobody to pray for them.