This podcast episode dives into the profound theme of God's generosity and the concept of fairness in the Christian life. Host David Spoon explores the parable of the vineyard workers, emphasizing that God's kindness and grace are not bound by human standards of fairness. He challenges listeners to reflect on their perceptions of equity when comparing their struggles to those of others, reminding them that only God understands the complete picture of each person's journey. Through engaging anecdotes and scriptural references, Spoon encourages a heart of gratitude instead of bitterness towards God's blessings in others' lives. The discussion ultimately highlights the importance of trust in God's perfect judgment and timing, reassuring listeners that they will never be shortchanged in their relationship with Him.

Transitioning into the core message, David Spoon delves into the parable of the vineyard workers from Matthew chapter 20, a teaching rich with implications for believers. The parable illustrates the nature of God's grace and generosity, challenging the mindset of fairness among workers who grumble over their wages. David expertly navigates the theological nuances of the text, suggesting that this story is not just about earthly fairness but about divine kindness and the unexpected nature of God's economy. He reminds listeners that God's understanding of fairness transcends human perceptions, urging them to trust in His perfect justice and timing. The discussion encourages an attitude of gratitude rather than resentment, framing the Christian journey as one of reliance on God's grace rather than personal merit.

Takeaways:

• The essence of faith is not to determine what is fair, as only God knows all nuances of life.
• We should embrace the generosity of God instead of feeling entitled to more than others.
• The parable of the vineyard workers teaches believers about God's grace and kindness to all.
• In moments of struggle, remember that God is our ever-present help in times of need.
• Our understanding of fairness is often flawed; we must trust in God's perfect judgment.
• Being critical of God's kindness to others reflects a misunderstanding of His grace.

The views expressed on the following program are designed to amplify those of the speaker and are not necessarily those of kaam, DJRD Broadcasting or its sponsors.

Hello, everybody.

I've got sunshine on a cloud.

A day when it's cold outside.

I've got.

Here's what's coming up on today's experience.

It's Dr.

Dave's devotional Diamonds of the Day, also known as DDDs, where my daily devotions become some of our spiritual reflections.

Sound effects play throughout the show which have nothing to do with life.

But the Bible teaches there's a time to laugh.

Hearty har har.

The review of the goofy news which proves Jesus is coming back sooner than you think.

And if you're a Bible believing born again Christian, you're saying, come on, Lord, right?

Come on.

Life lessons for our faith that we can actually use probably won't if we sit on our blessed assurance humor that will force you to think, why does this guy have a radio show?

What am I, chop liver?

Huh?

Huh?

Also Bible trivia for fake and yet somehow real cool prizes, your phone calls and more.

Living this life not always easy running in.

Oh.

Welcome to the David Spoon Experience, Local, national and heavenly talk.

My name is Doctor.

You know, I can hold that doctor thing a really long time, Doctor.

You know, I'm actually a doctor with a doctorate, Dr.

David Spoon.

And I'll be your host for the next 5,400,000 milliseconds.

Get ready for one of the more bizarre experiences on live radio.

Here is the key to the show.

We don't know what we're doing.

We have no idea what's going to happen and we don't care.

But for the next few minutes, I want to talk hope with you.

So here we go.

We're asking questions about living life as a Christian.

Here's an excellent question for you to respond to.

Super easy, and you can do it.

Get ready for the question.

Are you ready?

Are you braced?

Are you prepared?

If you're driving, keep your eyes open.

Here we go.

What Bible book?

What book in the Bible?

66, 39 in the old and 27 in the new.

What Bible book do you find the most comfort from?

What book in the Bible do you find the most comfort from?

That is the question.

If you think you have an answer, if you have an opinion, a comment, a thought, or a question of your own, don't let it die of loneliness.

That would be sad.

Just reach out and give us a call.

Talking to jam in Jacob.

That's like talking to a person that you can count on.

Aw, how sweet is that?

Thank you, David.

Happy Tuesday.

Happy Tuesday to you, my friend.

How's your day been going so far?

It's going well.

Okay, that's a good thing.

Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick then, right?

Yes, better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

There you go.

So you got to keep that in mind.

Listen, the question's not complex.

There is many times you've opened up the Bible and it has spoken to you.

Why?

Because the word of God is alive.

I don't know if you know this or not.

Same Greek word when it makes reference to Jesus and the resurrection.

Same word, you know.

So the idea here is to understand the word of God is life.

You don't go, bam.

You go, wow, wow, the Lord's speaking to me.

That's the question.

So you can give us a call, Ahala on the phone if you want to.

You can also text us.

Not Texas, text us, this is Texas, but text us.

That's the.

You can also send an email.

David must increase.org d a v I d David, he must increase.org all one thing.

So you can send us an email.

Maybe it's because you want to answer that question.

Which book in the Bible, man, just brings you the most comfort for whatever reason.

What book is that?

That's question number one.

The other thing I want to bring up is maybe you've got a praise report you want to share.

Cool.

Do it.

Don't tell me.

I'm too afraid.

Hey, we are your brothers and sisters.

Nobody is rooting for you besides the Lord.

Nobody's rooting for you more than us.

No, we don't all have the same denominations.

But those of us who are Bible believing born again Christians have the same heavenly father.

We are blood relatives through the Lord Jesus Christ.

And we are drinking of one Holy Spirit.

And the bottom line is the unity is in the Trinity.

And the bottom line is.

That's twice I've used bottom line is that we want to bless one another, encourage one another, strengthen one another.

To that end, you can share a praise report.

What has the Lord done in your life that you know you should be like?

Thank you, Lord.

Because the Bible says, let the redeemed of the Lord say so.

Put your feet upon a rock and a new song in your mouth.

Sing it.

Maybe you've got a prayer request.

You got something you got to deal with.

Great.

Bring it.

Whether by phone or by text or by email, bring it.

Let's pray about it, let's petition.

Let's see the kingdom of God invade into the kingdom of men.

And the will of God be done so that we can rejoice, we can be full of joy and full of worship, full of praise, full of appreciation.

Let's do it.

Maybe you got a scripture you want to share.

Something's going on and it's just like this scripture keeps coming back to me, and it keeps coming back to me.

The one that the Lord has been driving home for me is the Hebrews 4:16, which it just says, I come to the throne of grace confidently.

I come with confidence to the throne of grace, to receive mercy and to find grace in our time of need.

Wow, I love that passage.

Really hitting home with me.

Hebrews 4:16.

Check it out.

In whatever version you have, it's fine.

You'll get there.

And what I'm trying to encourage you to do is connect.

That's an important thing.

So the things that I want you to be aware of is that we are here to be a blessing in whatever fashion we can.

We'll talk about different ins and outs a little bit later.

We'll probably do a Jake's take review because we really didn't do one last exit time.

And I've just been chomping at the bit to talk about that one and then other things.

But in the meantime, we're going to jump into, by the way, Matthew chapter 20.

And this will not be the nicest teach I've ever given.

Ha ha ha ha ha.

I've given nice ones.

I've given not nice ones.

I think you guys know that it goes the range.

We try to do the full counsel, the full will of God.

This one is a little more challenging for believers than other people.

And so before we get there, we do have somebody that's calling in, and we want to give them a chance.

Why?

Because it's important to hear from one another.

And when you're listening on the radio, even if you're like, you know, Dave, I can't really participate or do things when somebody calls in or shares or anything like that, you can listen to that and pray for them.

You can do it just that way.

That's a way you can enter into ministry for others.

Okay, we do have somebody on the line, I believe.

Yep.

Let's send them on through.

Knock, knock.

This is David.

Who am I talking to?

Hi, Dr.

David.

This is Joanne.

Happy Tuesday.

Okay.

Happy Tuesday.

You're a little bit.

Your voice is a little bit distant, so I don't know if you're on a speakerphone or what you're on, so.

But happy Happy Tuesday to you.

Okay, I'm gonna.

I am in my car.

I'm so sorry.

I don't normally.

That's okay.

At the same time on Bluetooth, I'm gonna.

Okay.

You there?

Hang on.

Hang on just a second.

Okay.

Okay.

Can you hear.

Is that any good?

Yes, that's better.

That's much better.

Okay.

All right.

Okay.

I'll just make it real quick.

So thank you so much for that great question about a favorite book in the Bible.

Lately, it has been Colossians for me.

You know, about putting our minds on things above, and you know how our Lord Jesus holds everything together.

He's the creator.

And I know you pre.

You teach that on Thursdays, and I love Thursdays to hear your commentary on Colossians.

So thank you so, so much.

And I just want to say I'm so glad you and Noelle moved from California to Texas seven years ago today, because your lives have blessed us more than you can possibly imagine.

Dr.

David, you are such a huge encouragement and comfort to us.

So thank you.

It's very, very sweet of you.

You want to hear something really, really weird or bizarre along with that?

My brother Billy is moving out to Texas tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

So literally the same week within the same week that I moved seven years ago, he's moving out to Texas.

I'm like, wow.

Well, the Lord's got something going on.

Wonderful.

So maybe we can thank him in person for leading you to the Lord.

Over 40 years, three years ago.

Well, I'll let him make the move and settle in, and then once he gets settled in, then I'll touch base.

That sounds great.

Well, Dr.

David, thank you.

I'm getting ready to go to a counseling appointment, my first in many, many months.

So would you pray for me for a good interaction with this wonderful counselor?

Yeah, let me help.

Guide me regardless.

Let me pray for you on that.

That's really, really important.

Let me pray, Lord.

Thank you.

We just ask right now for Joanne that as she goes into the counseling session, that you would give the counselor the wisdom he needs to speak, to share, to encourage her and that, Lord, she would be fully open, fully able to hear and grow.

And you tell us there's great wisdom in the multitude of counselors.

And we're asking you to bless this counselor and this counseling session and let it have an impact, one of which she is able to grow more in you and move closer to the kingdom of God and more to even being a blessing to people than she already is, because that's what she wants in her heart.

So, Lord, bless it to her, give it to her, pour it upon her and let it be a great session for her and for the counselor.

We pray that in Jesus name, amen and amen.

Amen.

I receive that to God be all the glory we want to be fruitful.

Amen.

So thank you, Dr.

David Carrion.

We love you.

All right, God bless you.

Bye bye.

Thank you.

Bye bye.

All right.

Great job by Joanne.

Thank you very much.

We have other people that have reached out to us and told us which books they prefer.

A lot of people like the Psalms, Alex Proverbs, another phenomenal, incredible, encouraging book.

I mean, there's just so many.

And I like them all.

I mean, obviously I'm partial to a couple of different things, but I do like this one thing.

I saw Evie Hill preach on it one time.

He just said the whole thing he did was on Genesis 1:1 in the beginning, God.

And he just.

He spent an hour.

It's pretty good for four words an hour.

Just going, it doesn't matter.

In the beginning, God.

In the beginning, God.

And he just kept going back to it.

It was just so powerful.

And I get a lot of comfort out of that myself personally.

And all the books are phenomenal.

Some books are more fun to read.

Don't tell me they're not.

Of course they are.

It's more fun to read about somebody resurrecting than reading about mold.

Don't lie about that.

That's just honesty.

All right, anyway, we're going to go into Matthew 20.

We are already in this.

And if you don't know, we're at the story of the vineyard workers.

These are the people that are working in the vineyard.

And this is actually a teaching that is directed not at unbelievers, but much more to believers.

Now, it is an indirect slight to the Pharisees.

Let's not miss that.

But you got to just follow what the process is in what Jesus is trying to teach.

I'm going to pick it up from verse eight, actually, verse seven.

And then I'm going to go through all the way, because I want you to catch this one thing and I want you to understand with me, please, how absolutely cool this is.

So verse seven, this is after the owner of the vineyard goes out and says, hey, come in the work of the vineyard.

Come in the work of the vineyard.

Come in the work of the vineyard.

And it seems like he goes at 6, 9, 12, 3, and now it's 5.

And they're all just standing around.

He's like, why are you standing around?

Why haven't you been working?

Verse 7, they replied, no one hired us.

The owner of the estate told them, then go out and join the others in my yard, in my vineyard that evening.

He told the foreman, call the workers and pay them.

Beginning with the last workers first.

When Those hired at 5 o'clock were paid, each received a full day's wage.

Then those hired earlier came to get their pay, and they assumed they would receive more.

But they too were paid a day's wage.

When they received their pay, they protested, those people worked for only one hour, and yet you paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.

He answered, one of them, friend, I haven't been unfair.

Didn't you agree to work all day for the usual wage?

Take it and go.

I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you.

Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my own money?

Should you become angry because I am kind?

And so it is.

Jesus said that many who are first now will be last then, and those who are last now will be first then.

All right, so let's talk about this and break this down, because who is this really dealing with?

Well, it's not dealing with people that are going to hell, obviously.

He's dealing with people that are in the kingdom that are getting paid, that are working in the fields.

And so he's teaching this parable, and it really comes down to this.

He's dealing with people who.

He speaks about people who have been working longer and harder than those around them, yet they get paid the same amount they're receiving nothing more for their additional work.

And time, if you're trying to figure it out.

This is an unbelievable connection to Psalm 73, but we'll get to that some other time.

Here's the conflict.

Essentially, they're saying those who worked one hour are paid as much as us who worked all day.

And it what feels unfair.

Ah, this sentiment creates a dramatic element amongst Christians.

This happens and it's not fair.

It's a constant complaint that some people suffer nothing while others suffer a whole bunch.

And it's not fair.

What do you think is saying that?

That's not the non critic.

This is a parable to believers.

Are you kidding?

He's like going, hey, tough.

That's what he's saying.

He's like, wait, wait, wait, wait.

Let me rephrase it so you don't get so offended.

If I rephrase it right, maybe you'll get more offended.

That'd be better.

It's not for us to determine what is fair, since only God knows every nuance of everything at every moment and at every time.

Let me say that again.

Do you think you've gone through a lot more than other people?

Let me say this again.

I want you to hear it.

Because when we take this attitude on we're telling God just so you can know you're doing a lousy job being God.

That's what we're saying.

It is not for you and I to determine what is or is not fair, since only God knows every nuance of everything and at every moment and time.

So here's the thing that's going to blow your mind.

This is Jesus teaching this parable.

You and I do not actually know what is fair and what is not fair.

Oh, we think we know.

Oh, I know that.

I know that.

I am absolutely certain.

I think I know.

But as I stand before God, I quickly realize I don't know.

And as he said to Job, as we've said before, where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

Which is God's way of saying, you don't know anything.

And this is not us.

You know, this is not us not receiving from the Lord.

This is us getting what the Lord has promised us and thinking, well, compared to this person, compared to this person, I'm not getting a lot and this person's not going through anything and I'm going through all this stuff.

Have you ever noticed it seems like God knows exactly how much every person can really, truly handle, and he knows what everybody's going through, but it doesn't seem that way to us.

We think, well, If I had that person's life, it would be like this or like this.

And it'd be easy and it'd be simple.

That's what you think.

That's cute.

But you have sin inside of you.

You had to be redeemed.

And you and I, we ain't that smart.

What does this mean?

I mean, what is he trying to say?

Calm down, Sparky.

That's what he's trying to say.

The Lord knows perfectly how to give that which should be given and that which should not be given.

The Lord knows perfectly for every single person ever.

How much exact space, total space, limited space, not enough space.

He knows every one of those nuances.

And when we sit there and look at our lives, and then we sit there and complain to God about what we have to go through, we are foolish when we do that.

And God has a very interesting response.

He says, I'm sorry.

Are you upset because I'm nice?

That's what he's saying.

That is exactly what he's saying.

Are you mad because I'm a nicer being than you are?

Then he goes, is it against the law for me to do what I want?

Should you be angry because I'm kind?

That's a br.

Just a brutal indictment.

And I know some people are saying, well, that's really not believers.

That's really this.

It's absurd.

These are all people that are receiving from working in the field.

And yes, it has to do with attitude, but it also has to do with Christian attitude.

So the truth of the matter is you and I don't actually know what's fair.

We don't have all the facts like God does.

However, it's important to understand that God himself, because he is absolutely faithful and true, will never shortchange you.

What did you say, David?

I said that God will never shortchange you.

You don't understand all this stuff.

No, you don't understand what God understands.

That's the truth.

And that's a big part of this parable teaching.

All the graces and the gifts, including eternal life, come from God.

Wait, all of life comes from God?

Had he not breathed into Adam through the power of the Spirit, there would be no people.

Everybody receives it in gift, and it all comes from God's generosity.

And this is the key to this teaching.

It is not for you and I to determine who should or shouldn't receive these things from God and in what amount.

You might be thinking, wow, it would be so cool to be a pastor of 2,000 people.

And then all you do is this.

And maybe that's what you think, that's awesome.

But you don't know.

God knows.

And the way you're designed, maybe it would just be the worst thing in the world.

You don't know.

So the challenge of the parable in this application is, are we bitter because God is kind to others?

And I do understand that there's a connection here to Old Testament thinking and there's a connection here to non believers.

I understand that.

But as you, as a Christian, you read this, what Jesus is telling you and I is, do not have that attitude about God being generous to others.

That is not your call.

That is, you are not in charge of the universe.

God does a phenomenal job of being God.

There is nobody better.

The quality of God is outstanding.

Never forget that.

It's perfect, which for you and I, we are rarely outstanding and we are never perfect except for that perfection that God pours upon us by imputation.

So it's important for us to grasp that Jesus concludes his teaching by saying, many who are first will be last, and those who are last will be.

Can I say this?

I'm going to say it so it doesn't matter.

You should already know that this is a beautiful way to understand that the order of things we think should happen has nothing to do with the true order of things that are in the heart and mind of God.

I find it amazing, the audacity.

Theologians and pastors and all of us who say this is what God has to do.

It's like, there's some things I think you can say in front of the Lord, like, well, I'd really appreciate it if you do this, that whatever.

But telling God what he must do as a human is just weird.

It just seems inappropriate.

I don't know, maybe it's just me, because the truth of the matter is our sense of fairness has been polluted by the power of sin.

And that was why you and I needed to be born again.

God does not have darkness, does not have mud, does not have pollution in how he assesses and determines and pulls things together.

So a big part of this parable.

You know what a really big part of this parable is?

Yes, Lord.

Whatever you think is fair, Lord.

However you want to do it, Lord.

You are in charge, Lord.

You do it perfectly, Lord.

A big part of this parable is understanding that.

Understanding that this is God's economy, it's God's program.

I understand there's people that are like, well, we have to do this and we have to do this.

Yep, yep, yep, yep, yep.

The human perspective is completely different than the divine perspective.

But the divine perspective is very powerful, isn't it?

Since it's the one that determines the way things go.

And God initiated your salvation.

You didn't.

And you should just be thankful that he did.

Because just being there is more than any of us could ever deserve.

I really want you to get that.

You're going to a place and there is going to be an existence where awesome cannot describe it.

It is past man's capacity.

Did you deserve it or do you receive it?

Does he work miracles among you because you keep the law or because you believe that's the key?

And why was Abraham righteous?

Because he believed so much that God declared him a friend.

See that right there.

So past our knowledge, past our understanding, past that whole thing, push, push, push, push.

Leaving it in the hands of the Lord and just being thankful that he chose you to work in the field and the pay that he's going to give you is perfect and he will never shortchange you.

And you don't have to sit there and look at others with some kind of bitterness, but just being generally appreciative for the generosity of God.

You are listening to the David Spoon Experience right here on KAM 770, the true station here in Texas.

Taking a very short break, then we'll come back.

Don't go anywhere.

What is the David Spoon experience?

All right.

Psalm 46:1 3.

This was the first psalm that was read to me when I went to Bible college.

The very first class I ever took in Bible college a bazillion years ago.

Let me just say that.

Psalm 46:1 3.

God is our refuge and strength, and ever present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear.

Though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their suffering.

Here is something to consider that will be just absolutely a mind blower.

How should you and I respond if the earth falls out of its rotation?

Okay, so my brother in law works for JPL and is actually one of the people that helped write the program that helped land the Mars Rover.

On Mars, he helped write the computer programming, okay.

He's much smarter than me in those realms.

Okay.

About my age, a little younger, about my age.

Very, very intelligent guy, right?

And he's the one I always make a joke, you know, what keeps the earth rotating.

And so you'll hear me say that it's on a perfect 23 and a half degree rotation from the moon and from the exact rotation from the sun.

Or it's three mice chasing a piece of cheese in a wheel, one of those two.

So the idea behind that, and that whole story is the Earth is in this absolutely perfect rotation with the moon and the sun.

And without it, the earth would go through a free fall, just even a half a degree off.

It's over.

It's all over.

I mean, there would be instant tidal waves.

Everything would just be upside down.

And if that ever happened, you would know that's the end.

Although that's not how the end is going to happen.

We already know from Scripture.

But here's what the psalmist is saying.

It doesn't matter how bad it gets.

It doesn't matter if your world seems like it's upside down.

It doesn't matter if it's out of rotation.

It doesn't matter if the mountains fall into the sea.

It doesn't matter if the waters roar.

God is a refuge and a refuge is a shelter.

In a storm.

You would first think of a lean to.

That is what a shelter in the storm is.

So when it's raining, you find a lean tooth, you put something on a tree, you put it against something else and you get under it.

So you're away from that.

And it says that God is a refuge, a strength, an ever present help, which means he's helpful today, not just when it's all settled in eternity.

And there lies the problem for some Christians is they keep thinking, well, in the sweet by and by, everything will get worked out.

Well, that is true, that everything will be completely worked out in the sweet by and by.

But God is an ever present help, which means for today and not just for tomorrow.

And then the position of the psalmist is therefore, therefore, therefore.

In other words, it's a conclusion.

So God is our refuge and strength.

Okay, so he's our lean to in a storm.

He's our ever present help.

Therefore I don't have to be afraid.

The David Spoon experience.