Luke 18:9-14 “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Matthew 20:1-15 “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?”
Text Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
In Luke 18 Jesus sets forth a principle with respect to the way man lives life; “mercy or merit. The Pharisee sought righteousness in the merit of self, but publican looked to the mercy of the Sovereign! Fueled by an elevated opinion of his position, “The Pharisee”, his person, “I am not as other men are”, and his practices, “I fast . . . I give”, the Pharisee saw himself righteous before men. Comparing himself to the habits of men the Pharisee was satisfied; comparing himself to the Holiness of God, the publican was smitten; “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Speaking of the two men, Jesus said of the publican; “this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.” Mercy rendered the publican just and righteous before a Holy God! This principle not only applies to righteousness, but to rewards. In Matthew 20; when all the laborers were called in “they received every man a penny” (vs.9). Immediately, there was animosity “against the goodman of the house” (vs.11). Jesus said, “But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny” (vs.10). They might have received more had they been living by the principle of mercy rather than merit: “And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard” (vs.2). The word “agreed” means to demand as a condition by agreement. A day’s work would merit a day’s wages which was a penny! The others labored on the principle of mercy; “whatsoever is right I will give you” (vs.4&7). Trusting the mercies of the master, these men were more than adequately rewarded for their service! Whether it be righteousness or rewards, you are far better off with His mercy than your merit!