3 dangerous atttitudes

Scripture:
Matthew 20:1-16.

Observation:
I think Jesus is using this parable for multiple reasons, but one of those that jumps out at me are these 3 attitudes Jesus is trying to prevent in our life. They are dangerous and can destroy our relationship with God if we allow them to.

1. Don't think you are superior or more deserving than anyone else. I believe the phrase I have heard used is "Don't think to highly of yourself". Those that worked first are the ones who worked the hardest and the longest. They started grumbling and complain because they felt they somehow deserved more because they had done more.

2. Don't forget to be gracious to others. These men were failing to exemplify the grace that their Master wanted them to show. It really is all God's to do with as He sees fit anyway.

3. Don't be envious. These whiny, grumbling, complainers were looking at the blessing that the Master was giving to others and they were jealous of it. They had become ungrateful for the very gift he had just given them.

Application:
We have to guard ourselves as followers of Christ against these attitudes. We are not superior to anyone. Because I have been a Christian all my life doesn't make me any better than someone who has just come to know Christ this past week. That's what God's grace is all about. It is undeserved mercy. It's unmerited favor. There is nothing you or I can do to earn it. We cannot do anything that would force God to have to bless us more than anyone else. That's what makes it grace. It's a gift, not anything earned for the privileged.

Since God has been so gracious to us we need to show that same grace to others. We do this by helping someone in need. We do this by loving someone. We do this through random acts of kindness. Remember, it's grace. We give it even if they don't deserve it. We give it freely because we have received it freely. Remember the woman who was caught in adultery and brought before Jesus.

Envy will eat you up. It will cause you to despise the very blessings God has given you because you are so focused on what everyone has. Learn to be content and then you will see what true peace and blessing really is. How God chooses to bless someone else is no business of yours. All you need to be concerned with is your relationship with God.

Prayer:
Lord, I need your help today. I know at times I allow these attitudes into my heart and life. Help me be on guard against these destructive attitudes. Help me to be a servant, even to the very least of these. Help my heart to be so full of your grace that it overflows out of my life and into the lives of people around me. Help me learn to be content and recognize the many blessings I already have. You have already given me more than I could ever deserve. Thank you for your gift of grace and the many blessings I already enjoy in my life. Love you Father. Jason.