Matthew 19:23-20:16

19:23 Jesus said to his disciples, "It's terribly hard for rich people to get into the kingdom of heaven! 24 In fact, it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God's kingdom."

29 All who have given up home or brothers and sisters or father and mother or children or land for me will be given a hundred times as much. They will also have eternal life. 30 But many who are now first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Workers in a Vineyard
20:1 As Jesus was telling what the kingdom of heaven would be like...

12 They said, "The ones who were hired last worked for only one hour. But you paid them the same that you did us. And we worked in the hot sun all day long!" 13 The owner answered one of them, "Friend, I didn't cheat you. I paid you exactly what we agreed on. 14 Take your money now and go! What business is it of yours if I want to pay them the same that I paid you? 15 Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Why should you be jealous, if I want to be generous?"
16 Jesus then said, "So it is. Everyone who is now first will be last, and everyone who is last will be first."

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God has nothing against riches and money. But, we must remember that ALL things were given to us by God. As good stewards over God's possessions we must remember to use our resources to further the Kingdom of God.

It is human nature to feel slighted when we spend much of our lives and our resources in service to God, and then come to find that God bestows the same blessings on those who are brand new to the fold.

This is God's supernatural mercy at work. And we need God's supernatural gifts of the spirit to see that this is how it should be... lest we get to heaven with the attitude of feeling as though we "deserve" more of God's glory than the next soul to gain admittance.

Remember to rejoice in the equality of God's goodness.