“… But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.” 1 Samuel 30:24

Gracious Giving Part 2

Sometimes, life isn’t fair. We get what we think we don’t deserve; we don’t get what we think we do deserve.

Leading up to today’s Scripture, David had left 200 weary men behind to rest, while he took another 400 into yet another battle to get back the families and possessions stolen from them. When the fight was over and the 400 returned, they said the 200 left behind should not receive any of the spoil, but only their own wives and children, because they didn’t help in the battle.

But David, a man after God’s own heart, declares that these weary men would receive the same share of the spoil as the men who fought the battle. God had worked in David’s heart, quite unknown to David, to foreshadow a parable that Jesus would later teach about the kingdom of heaven.

In Matthew 20, a landowner went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius (a standard day’s wage) for working until the end of the day. He did the same thing four more times later in the day—hired more workers, and told them that they would be paid “whatever is right.” At the end of the day, they all received the same wage: a denarius. Of course, the early workers complained how unfair it was to pay the same amount to those who had rendered less service.

Jesus finishes the parable with the landowner saying in verse 15, “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?” This was meant to affirm that God is both sovereign and gracious in granting rewards.

When Jesus was on the cross, He told the thief, who only moments before had confessed belief in Him, that he would be with Him in paradise that very day. And what would be the reward of the twelve disciples who had sweated and slaved with Him for three years, and would likely be martyred for their work? Same reward: eternity with Him. (Whether there are further rewards and crowns in heaven is not the issue here.) It’s fair. It is lawful for God to do what He wishes with His own things—and eternal life belongs to Him. He gives it to whomever He will. “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will” (John 5:21).

“Father, You are just and righteous in all Your ways. Forgive us for questioning Your justice. In truth, You give just as You have determined to do, and we are grateful we do not get what we truly deserve apart from You: eternal separation. Hallelujah!”