“And about the eleventh hour, He went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said to Him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’” – Matthew 20:6-7
REFERENCE:
Amongst the bible Jews, the eleventh hour is 5 pm (an hour to the close of work). Hiring these men by 5 pm suggests they stood all day looking for a job with no luck. The day pictures the useful and youthful season of one’s life, while the night implies old age. These men spent most of their youth looking for gainful employment or a business but had no chance.
The accounts of these men should tell you that if you have a job, a thriving business, or a successful career, it is because God smiled on you, so you should be thankful for industry (any economic or commercial activity). It is not because of your educational degree or family pedigree; it is not because of your state of origin or the that you are well ‘connected.’ The race is not to the swift.
You are engaged in industry today, at any level, because God favored you, worked the math, and pulled some strings for you to be where you are. Many are still standing on the roadside in the market, hunting for jobs, submitting proposals, and going for several job interviews but have yet to be successful. Many have lost their jobs because of economic conditions, so be thankful for industry.
Don’t carry on as if what you have, where you work, or what you do is a birthright. If you don’t know, God has done a memorable thing for you; you are one out of thousands. Therefore, this Thanksgiving season, give God memorable praise for the privilege of having been ‘hired’ early in life when you could have still been waiting till the 11th hour or 5 pm. Be thankful for industry.
No matter where you work, how much you earn, what your profession is, how low sales may be, or how slow things are moving, remember that people are still standing on the roadside of life – so thank God! Be exuberant in your praise! Sing for joy that you were ‘hired!’ Thank God for your boss, colleagues, customers, partners, clients, employees, patients, and patrons. Thank Him for retainer-ships, professional affiliations, your shop, office, construction site, firm, etc.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Ecclesiastes 9:10-11 and Proverbs 14:23
PRAYER:
+ Father, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to work. Thank You for those connected to me by the work I do. I praise You for blessing the work my hands have found to do.
