“Appreciate God’s Impartiality!”

“Appreciate God’s Impartiality!(Mt.20:1-16).
According to the Bible, though not stated, it is inferred that jealousy and envy were the root causes that led to the first murder.(cf. Gen.4:3-8).
Let us begin by defining key terms: jealousy and envy. These words are bedfellows. To be jealous is “being hostile toward a rival or one believed to enjoy advantage.” Meanwhile envy is “a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities or luck.”
When Cain’s offering was not received with satisfaction, he became envious and jealous of his brother whose sacrifice was appreciated. Jealousy and envy bred anger in him and he lured his brother to the field and killed him.
The story of Cain and Abel is not boxed in a safe deposit box like a will waiting for a particular day to be brought out and read after the funeral service. It is a life story experienced on a daily basis around the world; especially at our own backyard. The question the jealous and envious persons ask is, “And you too?” In Mungaka we say, “Ba wu meh eh?” To put it proverbially, “Why should there be a ripe garden egg(aubergine) in the farm of another?”
In 2022, many Nigerian and Cameroonian comedians and filmmakers came up with skits of trusted friends attempting to poison their so-called friends out of jealousy and envy. But away from skits and back to reality we have read stories of young bushfallers returning home, eager to share their blessings with friends and relatives, only to be poisoned or murdered through those very friends and relatives! What a world!
The parable of the workers in the vineyard who were hired at different hours of the day but paid the same amount is very much the same today.
The young ministers in my Church can vouch for me. My first words to the blessed ones always: “Congratulations! I’m happy for you.” And I mean it!
Jacob would not have been married to two sisters if not of a warped up old cultural practice that sought to prevent jealousy and envy among sibblings!
Dear friend, it is not because you were born before yesterday that you think you must have special preference above those who will be born after tomorrow. God has a right to his generousity. Do not be envious because he is generous with his choices.
If the last becomes the first and the first become the last, it does not make God a God of partiality. He is simply dispensing his favours according to the choices he has made, but he is not a God of partiality!
To anyone who is angry because of God’s grace he says, “Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you.”
Let us learn to be contented with the manner in which God in Christ dispenses his grace upon us!
Sunday prayer: Thank you LORD. I am satisfied with what I have because I know it is for my good. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.