Devotion: Use this resource at home to guide your household’s daily devotions. You can do this alone, as a couple, as a family; in the morning, during the day, or at night. Find a routine that works best for you.

Pray: Light a candle and open your devotion time with a prayer.
God of extravagant grace, you have showered your children with blessings we did not deserve, but gratefully receive. Accept our gratitude for your goodness, for the glory of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Reflect: Reflect on the key verses from Sunday’s reading.
[Jesus said,] “[The landowner said,] ‘Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:15-16

Study: Study the reading and consider the background.
Our sense of fairness is challenged in this parable. Many of us have been raised to believe we get what we earn. To imagine someone else might receive what we receive for having earned far less challenges our sensibilities.

But what if we are not the laborer who has earned a day’s wage? What if we are the laborer who cannot possibly work hard enough or long enough to earn a day’s wage? Perhaps Jesus was teaching here that God offers love more abundantly than anyone can possibly earn.

Read: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding of Sunday’s text. After the reading, ask the follow-up questions.
Follow the parables and teachings of Jesus, as Jesus challenged followers to do more for God’s kingdom.

Sunday, Matthew 20:1-16, Laborers in the Vineyard
Monday, Psalm 16:5-8, Psalm
Tuesday, Matthew 16:1-12, Teachings of Jesus
Wednesday, Matthew 16:13-23, Jesus Foretells His Death
Thursday, Matthew 17:9-27, Teachings of Jesus
Friday, Matthew 18:10-14, Parables of Jesus
Saturday, Matthew 19:1-30, Teachings of Jesus

What is God’s role in the parables Jesus told?

Connect: Connect in conversation with others in your household. Discuss the following questions, or simply check in with “Highs” and “Lows.”

• What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
• Where are wages just and where are they unjust within your community? What would happen if Jesus’ idea of abundant generosity was played out in your community?
• What difference does it make to your life that you have been given abundant, unearned, generous love from God?

Do: By acting on what we learn, we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week.
Be an extravagant tipper this week. Notice how practicing abundant generosity changes you.

Bless: Close your devotion with a blessing.
Generous God, our hearts are sometimes stingy. Speak love to us in the reading of your word. Amen.

Copyright © 2015 Clergy Stuff. Used with Permission. Find more at http://www.ClergyStuff.com.
Scripture quotation from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Councilof the Churches Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Blessing written by Pr. Chip Borgstadt.