Matthew 20:16
“So the last shall be first, and the first, last.”
This verse is at the conclusion of the parable of the laborers. The boss hired several groups of laborers. Some worked all day, some worked six, some three and some one hour. When the time came for payment, the boss gave all a full days wage. Those that worked more were complaining to the boss about the unfairness. He answered by saying they were paid what was agreed upon. What came next was the issue. Verse 15b says, “Or is your eye envious because I am generous?” This seems to call back to Proverbs 28:22, “A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.” Envy does not leave room for contentment. Even though one may have received much, envy doesn’t allow him to enjoy it.
God is generous. He gives and gives. A life long servant of God enters heaven as does the thief on the cross. If we try to apply an accounting to God’s generosity we will complain. Like the siblings that were given a treat to share. Unless it was divided equally, there will be complaints.
We have to guard against the envious eye. It’s one thing to witness it. It’s another to take it in and let it boil in us. We have to put it aside. The famous children’s hymn says, “Be careful, little eyes, what you see. Be careful, little eyes, what you see. There’s a Father up above looking down in tender love, Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see.” What’s seen can generate sin in us.
It reminds me of lust. What we see can lead us into sin. Our heart gets caught like a fish devouring the hook and we are lured in. We aren’t to look at others and their circumstances. Cast the thought from our minds. Let it go.
I can see the greed of Scrooge and how he traded good things for the love of money. He lived his whole life serving it. He gave up his fiancé, his family and used his talents to hoard. His heart was poisoned and he didn’t know it.
I think of another hymn, “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”. In Him we find rest. He is a model of how to be. He is almighty God, but was born in a chaotic situation. Was raised in a difficult region. It’s said that He didn’t have a place to lay His head. He could have had plenty, but chose to sacrifice that to minister to others. Looking to Him keeps us from envy. The poison effect of lust has no effect.
Matthew 11:28-30 shares a great passage about Jesus, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.” This is His message to all. He cares for us and wants to connect with us and give us rest. His needs don’t even enter into the situation. It’s all what He wants to do for us. We should want to be a blessing to others. Cast our needs aside. Better yet, commit them to Him and He’s got us. We do have needs. Let Him work there. We can rest.
Lord, Help us to keep our eyes on You. Help our hearts to be content. Thank You for nullifying the effect of lust. Thank You for filling our needs and giving us faith.
