Jesus told a parable of a landowner who hired laborers at different hours of the day (Matthew 20:1-16).
No matter the hour they began to work, each worker received the same amount of pay. Of course, this upset the ones hired first. Everyone agreed on their pay, but those first hired thought they would receive more. They began to grumble against the landowner. Undeterred, he asked them, “Are you envious because I am generous?”
His actions went against what they thought was fair, even though they had agreed beforehand. That’s a story that can get people talking because we often struggle with God’s sense of grace and generosity.
Now, go back almost eight centuries before Jesus and meet Gehazi. He was a servant to the prophet Elisha. When Elisha healed Naaman, the prophet did not accept any gifts from the commander. Although Naaman insisted on giving something, Elisha refused. Naaman left with Elisha’s blessing and, perhaps, some thought-to-be holy dirt.
That didn’t sit well with Gehazi. In his mind, Naaman got “off too lightly” (2 Kings 5:20). It was too gracious a gesture to not accept the silver, gold or fine clothes he offered. Now, Gehazi didn’t complain to Elisha. He didn’t stew over it in his mind. He decided to take action. He crafted a plan to “get something from him.”
Today, I’m reflecting on Gehazi’s response and non-response to grace and generosity. Instead of Elisha’s action inspiring him, it upset him. The servant took it upon himself to reach Naaman. When he did, he lied to Naaman about someone being in need. Naaman gladly gave him what he asked for. And his generosity didn’t seem to break Gehazi’s resentment. He thought it was the least he could do.
What parts of God’s grace do you struggle with? When have you thought God wasn’t being fair? Have you ever heard someone complain about how someone else has it easier than they did? Why does that bother us so much?
Thankfully, God’s grace isn’t going anywhere. And it’s always going to have a, seemingly, unfair course. That’s what makes it grace. What do you do with that?
Stay blessed…john
