Universal Utterings

for August 19, 2026

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08-19-2026 Matthew 20 v0116 Are You Envious Because I Am Generous

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The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 20 Verse 1 thru 16

1 “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 Going out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.’ 5 So they went off. [And] he went out again around noon, and around three o’clock, and did likewise. 6 Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’ 8 When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.’ 9 When those who had started about five o’clock came, each received the usual daily wage. 10 So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’ 13 He said to one of them in reply, ‘My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? 15 [Or] am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, which highlights themes of grace, equality, and God's generosity. In the story, a landowner hires workers at different times throughout the day but pays them all the same wage, regardless of when they started. The workers who were hired first feel entitled to more pay, but the landowner reminds them that they agreed to the wage and emphasizes his right to be generous with his resources.

This parable illustrates the radical nature of God's grace. It challenges societal norms about merit and entitlement, suggesting that God’s kingdom operates on principles that defy human expectations. The landowner (representing God) chooses to reward the latecomers equally with those who worked all day, suggesting that grace is not earned but freely given. It reminds us that our worth in God’s eyes is not determined by our level of achievement or time spent in service but is a reflection of His unconditional love.

The statement "the last will be first, and the first will be last" serves as a profound countercultural message. It invites us to reconsider our notions of success, ranking, and privilege. In God’s kingdom, those who society views as last—perhaps the marginalized, forgotten, or latecomers—are equally valued. This encourages humility, as no one can claim superiority based on their works or status.

Ultimately, Jesus is conveying that everyone has a place in God’s kingdom, regardless of when they come to faith or how much they contribute. The parable invites us to celebrate the grace extended to all and to reflect on our attitudes towards others in the community of believers. In a world often dictated by competition and hierarchy, Jesus champions a radical equality anchored in divine love and generosity. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. Novena Day Two for James Spence. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,


Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins


†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®


Ephesians 6:17-20

08-19-2026 Matthew 20 v0116

Are You Envious Because I Am Generous

In the vineyard under the bright sun's gleam, 

A landowner woke from a restless dream. 

He sought the laborers for tasks of the day, 

To gather the harvest, to toil and to sway. 

At dawn he found some, the early birds, 

He promised them wages, his trusted words. 

"Come work in my field, I’ll pay you your due," 

A coin for a day's labor, honest and true. 

As hours ticked by, he ventured anew, 

To the marketplace, where the idle ones grew. 

"Why stand here all day, with nothing to do?" 

They answered, "No one has hired us; it is true." 

“Come work in my vineyard; I’ll pay you as well,” 

At the sixth hour, he called them to engage the swell. 

The ninth hour beckoned, more workers he sought, 

For the vineyard was plenty, the harvest was hot. 

At the eleventh hour, when shadows grew long, 

He found even more, their spirits still strong. 

"Come, join in my labor, there’s work left to do," 

They followed, rejoicing, with hearts fresh and new. 

When evening descended, his work now complete, 

The master commanded, “Let’s gather the fleet. 

Call forth the laborers, the last and the first, 

Let’s settle their wages, dispelling the thirst." 

To those who worked one hour, he paid them the same, 

A denarius gleamed—oh, what a sweet claim! 

The first ones who toiled, they grumbled in strife, 

“Unfair!” they protested, “We’ve worked our whole life!” 

But the master responded with wisdom so deep, 

“Friend, I haven’t wronged you, I’ve given my keep. 

Is your eye envious because I am kind? 

In my kingdom, all grace and mercy you’ll find.” 

For the last shall be first, and the first shall be last, 

In the economy of grace, all boundaries surpassed. 

With hearts open wide, let us learn from His ways, 

In love and in mercy, let us spend all our days. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

August 19, 2026 @ 04:09 AM EST

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