The Israelites gathered the manna,
some gathering more, some less.
But those who gathered much had nothing over,
and those who gathered little had no shortage;
they gathered as much as each of them needed.
—Exodus 16.17-18
The laborers said, “These last worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us
who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.”
—Matthew 20.12
God’s justice is not some illusion of deserving,
but that each has what they need, no more, no less.
Each laborer in the vineyard receives a day’s sustenance;
there is no merit, no earning, no difference.
Everything is a gift. God does not reward or compare.
God provides. It is we who divide and hoard.
The only people who resent God’s justice
are those who have unfairly gathered.
The only ones who make others work for their manna
are those who have more than they need.
Despite our illusion of having “earned” it,
all that we have is manna, given for all of us.
Don’t measure deserving. There are always those
who have worked harder, who have not been paid.
Your money and possessions, your education,
your skills, your access to power and resources,
the beauty on your morning walk,
the blessings you receive in prayer:
you have more than you need. The rest
is not yours, but has fallen upon you to share.
If you have much you aren’t a bad person;
you have simply happened into that station in life
in which it is your calling to share, to serve,
like a waiter in a fine restaurant.
What do you have that is for others?
What will you share today?