The vineyard owner gives directions to his manager

The workers are sent away to another field

Give prompt attention and what is due to people who are usually last or overlooked

Give priority to the most visible people first, then see if time remains

Wait to act until a need becomes more impressive or easier to notice

Talk about fairness often, but leave the practical steps for later

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and need your mercy. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust you as my Lord and Savior. Lead me now under your just and gracious rule, and make my life new. Amen.

Come Under Your Good Rule

Lord, revive your Church so we do not put the visible first and the overlooked last. Make us quick to honor people, faithful to what we owe, and humble enough to treat every person with dignity. Wake us up to your justice and compassion, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Your Church to Act Justly

Father, thank you that you see every worker, every long day, and every hidden effort. Thank you that you are not careless, but wise and fair in all you do. Teach us to trust your timely care, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Thank You for Your Fair Attention

Pray by naming one place where you need to act fairly, ask God to show you who has been overlooked, and ask for one practical step you can take this week to make things right.

Pray About Fairness and Delay

God, I bring you people who are waiting on wages, families under financial pressure, and anyone who has authority over another person's work. Provide for what is needed, keep every hand honest, and lead each decision toward fairness, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

For Those Waiting to Be Paid

Bring these to God: any habit of favoring the first and most noticeable; any resistance to honoring those who are usually last; any impatience with doing what is right at the right time. Ask him to form in you a fair, steady, and humble heart.

Learning the Way of the Last

ὀψίας{o-PSI-as###oh-PSI-ahs###evening} δὲ{DE###DEH###and} γενομένης{ye-no-ME-nees###yeh-noh-MEH-nees###came} λέγει{LE-yee###LEH-yee###(He) said} ὁ{ho###hoh###the} κύριος{KEE-ree-os###KEE-ree-ohs###owner} τοῦ{TOO###TOO###of the} ἀμπελῶνος{am-pe-LO-nos###ahm-peh-LOH-nohs###vineyard} τῷ{TO###TOH###to} ἐπιτρόπῳ{e-pee-TRO-po###eh-pee-TROH-poh###foreman} αὐτοῦ·{af-TOO###ahf-TOO###his} Κάλεσον{KA-le-son###KAH-leh-sohn###Call} τοὺς{TOOS###TOOS###the} ἐργάτας{er-GA-tas###ehr-GAH-tahs###laborers} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} ἀπόδος{a-PO-dos###ah-POH-dohs###pay} ⸀αὐτοῖς{af-TEES###ahf-TEES###them} τὸν{TON###TOHN###the} μισθὸν{mis-THON###mees-THON###wage} ἀρξάμενος{ar-KSA-me-nos###ahr-KSAH-meh-nohs###beginning} ἀπὸ{a-PO###ah-POH###from} τῶν{TON###TOHN###the} ἐσχάτων{es-KHA-ton###ehs-KHAH-tohn###last} ἕως{HE-os###HEH-ohs###up to} τῶν{TON###TOHN###the} πρώτων.{PRO-ton###PROH-tohn###first}

Matthew 20:8 — LiteralTAB

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