WORKING FOR A DENARIUS

WORKING FOR A DENARIUS

I look for every excuse to read the Bible. Or I should say every opportunity. I believe the Bible is enough for any man to live on earth. Did I hear someone say ‘More than enough?’. And I heard the one who said ‘You need some other knowledge to enrich your Bible knowledge’. I agree with both of them. Let me just say, very few books get read more than once - or ever,  like the Bible. At least for the Christian. I guess, we all agree on that. I am a Christian.

I became a Christian and was told I should read my Bible daily. I found that funny. It is like being told to eat daily. Who needs a reminder to eat? Okay, someone might need a time table. Or a diet plan. But definitely not a reminder. Well, unlike the natural food, the Holy Spirit ensures we do not get over weight. Christ said He (the Holy Spirit) would bring things to our remembrance. Ours is to expose ourselves as much as we can to the food (Word of God), He would regulate our intake (assimilation and understanding). So if I tell you I have a time table for my Bible Reading, I lie and the truth is not in me. But I get more than enough opportunities every day to study, than I could ever plan. I like the early morning devotion. But at times, I have slept too late praying to wake up that early to study. Those not-necessarily-planned chances I use to make up usually happen at the point when Heaven’s illumination touches the Earth. I have found some of my planned studies dry. Oh, there is a place for discipline. For instance, if I will teach a topic, I will take out time to really prepare.

This is my problem, I leave the topic and spend too much time on introduction. But I like to connect with the audience. Please let me conclude this introduction first. Thank you.

One excuse I use to study the Bible is this. Any day for any reason I miss my daily (or nightly) prayers, the next few days I am conscience - bound to study the chapters of the Bible for that date I missed. Okay, I will talk from Matthew Chapter 20 today. That gives you an idea. Thank you for your patience.

That Chapter opens with a parable of the Workers in the Vineyard as rendered by Jesus Christ. Have you noticed Jesus used parables a lot? Parables are short stories with moral lessons. Do you think Jesus conjured most of those stories from His imagination? I hope to ask Him someday. But I think they were real life events. Too many stories happen everyday for anyone to task his mind. That is how we know an experienced teacher for a theorized one. I think Jesus was a very practical teacher.

Workers were waiting to be hired by the Land owner. Early morning, third hour, sixth hour, ninth hour, eleventh hour. Please just go straight to Verse 13-15 of Matthew 20 (NIV). ‘But he (the landowner) answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you, Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

Typical organization. You have been there all these years and the guy just came and he is getting all the favour - or at par with you. Or some policies seem to further alienate you on the job. You are offended. But see the attitude of your employer; ‘Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my money?’ And guess on whose side Jesus is? On your employer’s side. Laughs. Sorry.

I hope I did not spoil your day.

But did you get the message? You are either the Landowner or you agreed to work for a denarius.  

And if you are still waiting to be hired, good luck to you.

- Adeolu Olumodeji