June 13

Matthew 21:41 (NIV)
41 “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

This is within the parable of the vineyard owner and tenants. The thing that stood out to me was the last half of this verse; “who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time”. We realize that Jesus is talking about giving salvation to the Gentiles because the Jews are going to kill Him, but then there is this part of giving him his share. That is what interests me.

It was the practice of the Jews to give their tithes. I am sure that Jesus is talking about more than that although that is part of it. We know in Malachi that God is indicting the Jews for not tithing, so it makes sense that money may well be included in this meaning, but I think it goes far beyond money – it goes to ALL the fruit of the vineyard!

We don’t want to be the like people who killed the prophets and Jesus, right? However their attitudes were to KEEP God’s share. They wanted it all! God is asking us for a “share” or a portion of the fruit, which I think is talking about our offerings. Yet there is more because it is God’s vineyard! We are tenants and He deserves more than just an offering or tithe, He deserves all of the vineyard! Every fruit of the Kingdom of God in our lives belongs to God. Why not just surrender all of it and whenever God wants something, give it to Him? It is the least we can do for Him who purchased, built and planted.