Eleventh Hour Workers

Matthew 20-22 

“‘About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’…when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more…‘you have made them equal to us’…’are you envious because I am generous?’”

Matthew 20:6, 10, 12, 15

The story of the “eleventh hour workers” as it has come to be known, is a story about God’s generosity, his desire to bless, his capacity to find meaningful work for all in his kingdom, and his intolerance of selfish thinking and behavior. The enemy’s attitude of blessing includes entitlement, equity, and envy. There is no reason to “stand around” in God’s kingdom. He has meaningful work for every gift and personality, as well as every stage of maturity. God’s heart is to bless everyone in his kingdom, and he invites us to celebrate with him, and with the eleventh hour workers who are entering his kingdom from the least reached regions of the marketplace. With so much work to do, there is no room for small-minded thinking or competition. Let us celebrate every contribution being given to God’s will and his coming kingdom.

“Lord Jesus, enlarge and fill my heart with your blessing and love for all my fellow kingdom workers and servants.”