"I Will... But I Won't"

The parable of Jesus, found in Matthew 21:28-32, tells us of a man with two sons. Each was asked to work in the father's vineyard. The first said he would not, but changed his mind. The second said he would, but also changed his mind.

Jesus asked, "'Which of the two did what his father wanted?'

"'The first," they answered." (v. 31)

When Jesus told this parable He was teaching the hearers of the work of God involving the people of the world. It was His warning that things may not be as they appear. Even though people will say they will serve God, or respond to a specific call of God, it doesn't mean that they will follow through. And, just as truthfully, even if a person says they will NOT respond to Him, it may not be the end of the story.

I never read this parable without wondering how our heavenly Father must feel when we make great commitments and promises only to fail, even with good sounding excuses, to follow through. As a pastor, I can sense some of the emotional sadness the Father must feel. Many are on the easy (broad) path, saying, "I will... but I won't."

Are you good at saying you will serve God, but later to find any number of reasons not to. A great warning under the surface of parables like this is, "You can come to the place where you feel justified and excused, only to find that you are guilty." (e.g. Matthew 7:21-23)

It would be one thing if such teaching applied only to the physical responsibilities of our relationship with the Father. But they apply to the spiritual as well, and maybe in a greater sense. If Jesus says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind," (Matthew 22:37, NIV), certainly we can see the importance of our fulfilled dedication in our service to Him.

God calls us to be stewards of many things. This includes our time, commitment and words. We are also stewards of our attitude and dependability in opportunities of service. It is in these areas that the real test of our faithfulness comes. If God can depend on our faithfulness, so can His children with whom we serve.

"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'

"'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go." (Matthew 21:28-30)

Which one of the two represents you?