Is Thine Eye Evil

Matthew 20:1-7 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.

Matthew 20:8-10 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.

Matthew 20:11-14 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.

Matthew 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

Reminds me of a couple who is in dire need of money. They want me to sell their house for Two Million Pesos net of commission. Meaning they will not give a commission from the 2 million pesos and authorized me to make an overprice. I insisted for the 5% commission on the proceeds but they said they are heavily indebted and 2 million pesos is just right for them.

I offer the house for 2.5M which is a little bit lower than the market price but sold only at 2.2M, I said to myself, 200K commission is nearly at hand.

Guess what? They gave me only 110K corresponding to the 5% of 2.2M, a difference of 90K. They said, it's an easy sale from me and 200K is too much.

How many people are like that? Is it unlawful to collect what is mine? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

Reminds me also of Ananias and his wife Sapphira who promised to give 100% from the sale of their possession, but when the money is at hand, they kept back part of the price.

Acts 5:1-2 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Acts 5:9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

Acts 5:10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

I am not saying that the couple is like Ananias and Sapphira, but just the same, they kept back part of my commission.