Resentful or Grateful?
Matthew 20:15 (CEB) · The Gospel on Stage and Screen
“Don’t I have the right to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or are you resentful because I’m generous?” — Matthew 20:15 (CEB)
Two questions. That’s all the landowner asks. And the second one lands like a stone in deep water: “Are you resentful because I’m generous?”
This is the hinge of the whole parable. Every character, and every reader, arrives at this question eventually. When someone else receives grace you didn’t think they deserved, what rises in you? Resentment or gratitude?
Resentment says grace is a limited resource. If they get it, there’s less for me. Gratitude says grace reveals the character of the giver. If they get it, I know what kind of God I’m dealing with.
Tomorrow we open a new series, The Gospel on Stage and Screen, and gather to hear this parable proclaimed and sit with its question together. June 21 is also Father’s Day and United Methodist Men Sunday. Worship is at 8:30 AM with hymns and organ, or 10:15 AM with our praise team. Online worship is available at youtube.com/@mcphersonfirst. You don’t have to have the answer figured out. Bring the question. God can work with that.
God of relentless generosity, search our hearts today. Where resentment has taken root, plant gratitude. Prepare us for worship tomorrow, ready to hear what you have to say. Amen.