But when they first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny (Matt. 20:10).
In Matthew 20, Jesus spoke in a parable of a householder who went out and hired some men to work in his vineyard. However, even though he hired these men at different times of the day, he paid them all the same wages. That meant it didn’t matter if they had worked in the vineyard all day or for just one hour, they all got the same pay.
So, quite naturally the first group was very upset; they thought they should have received more pay. So they murmured and complained against the man saying, …these last have only worked but one hour and you made them equal to us.
Now pay attention to the phrase, you have made them equal to us, because Jesus was saying this is how the kingdom of heaven works.
The first thing I want you to notice is that the kingdom of heaven provides equality. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been walking in the Word for 28 years or if you’ve only been saved one year. You can have the same results.
Did you hear what I said? Sometimes new believers think that since they are new to the things of God, they can’t expect to have the same results as those who have been saved longer. That is a wrong assumption, because the Lord of the household is good.
When I read about the victories of some of my spiritual fathers, I say, bless God, that’s for me too. You see, I understand that what God did for them, He will do for me, because in the kingdom of heaven everybody is equal.
Matthew 20:16 says that the last shall be first. Oftentimes we see this when new believers get a manifestation of their prayers right away. I mean, they just got saved yesterday, and they walk in the healing line and walk away healed. I’m sure that use to happen to you too.
But now God expects you to operate at a higher level because you’ve been around longer. You see, the longer you are in the body of Christ, the more you are to develop and use your own faith, and not depend on somebody else’s faith.
The kingdom of heaven provides healing, provision, and it provides equality. It doesn’t matter how long you or I have been walking in the Word, the good news is we can all have the same results.
Scripture References: Matthew 20:1-16
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).