The Most Dangerous Game

Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money?
Should you be angry because I’m kind?
Matthew 20:15 NLT
___

Lately on my Facebook feed, I’ve seen news articles pop up about dangerous new games that are trending among middle school and high school students. I usually don’t even bother to click on the link because I’m scared it’s spam but it does get me thinking.

If I’m being really honest, I have to admit that I let myself get sucked into a game that is more dangerous than any Facebook article will ever write about (until now). It’s the game of comparison.

It’s seriously ridiculous. On my really bad days, It’s even carried over into my Bible reading…

At least I’m not at impulsive as Peter.
Well, I might not be perfect but at I didn’t betray Jesus with a kiss.
What?! It’s not like I ignored the mortally wounded man like that Priest and Levite in the Good Samaritan parable!

And now YOU’RE probably thinking “Wow… well, at least I’m not as judgmental as Messy Worship Emily.”

So, when I read Matthew chapter 20, It really, really hit home for me.

In Matthew chapter 20, Jesus tells a parable (earthly story with a Heavenly meaning) to explain what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. In it, an estate owner goes out five separate times in a day to hire workers for that day. Each collection of workers comes at a later and later portion of the day. The earliest group agrees to work for a normal day’s wage. Each group after that agrees to work for whatever the estate owner decides is right at the end of the day. When the end of the day arrives, the estate owner pays every worker a full day’s wage. The early-hires protested:

“Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.” (Matt. 20:12 NLT)

Then, look at the estate owner’s response:

“He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take it and go. I want to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be angry because I’m kind?'” (Matt. 20:13-15 NLT)

I’m so like the workers in verse 12. Some days I just cannot stop comparing myself (and my “wages”) to those around me. I’m such a moron. It’s ALL God’s to give. I am a citizen of Him – of HIS Heaven – and need to stop keeping track of what I do and what I think the results should be. Because every time I compare, all I’m doing is forgetting whose blood paid for the estate.

And I’m forgetting about all the times I’ve been on the receiving end of that “unjust” generosity and kindness.

And THAT thought is just amazing enough that every other thought can just fade away while I take a minute to thank God for being the only perfect judge.

___

Dear Lord, I can’t even begin to put words to how sorry I am for my stupid comparison games. I don’t understand why I keep ignoring the value YOU placed on my life when your Son died for me. Please help me remember that every time I play games with the value of lives, I’m challenging your perfect wisdom and grace. Please guard and keep my heart from making that awful mistake. Amen.