A Days Work
Matthew 20:1 sets up a fascinating and important story Jesus told: "For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard."
In Palestine the grape harvest ripened towards the end of September, and then close on its heels the rains came. If the harvest was not ingathered before the rains broke, then it was ruined. Getting the harvest in was a frantic race against time. Any worker was welcome, even if he could give only an hour to the work.
The hours in this parable were the normal Jewish work hours.The day began at sunrise--6 am. The hours were counted from that starting point, so the third hour is 9 am, the sixth hour is noon, and the eleventh hour is 5 pm.
When the day's work is done, the time comes to pay the workers. Immediately, something unusual happens: "When the evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going to the first" (v. 8).
Now comes the big surprise of the story: "When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius (the full day's wage)" (v. 9).
Jesus tells how those who were hired first thing in the day thought they would receive more based on what was paid to those who had only worked the last hour of the day. When their turn came and they were also paid a denarius (which they had agreed to when they were first hired for the day), complained to the owner saying it didn't seem right or fair that they had worked all 12 hours, including through the heat of the day, and they were compensated at the same total amount as those who had only worked one hour.
At the heart of their complaint was this little phrase: "You have made them equal to us" (v. 12).
What was the root cause of their grumbling toward the owner of the vineyard? I think it was envy and the fear that they were not getting what they deserved (by comparison with how much the others received for doing less).
An envious, complaining, grumbling spirit indicates a problem with our character, and a glitch in our relationship with God. We are being warned by Jesus to recognize when our problem is not with the economy, the job market, or how we are doing in comparison with how others apparently are doing. Our problem is with God.
The owner of the vineyard asked, "Are you envious because I am generous?"
Grumbling is a spirit or attitude that comes from two places:
1. We overestimate our own importance.
2. We underestimate God's generosity and grace.
As we study this parable together this Sabbath, we'll see that Jesus is not just teaching about final rewards. He is also encouraging us to look at our motivations--why we do what we are doing. God is faithful and keeps his promises, so some people grumble and complain their whole way to heaven. They will receive the eternal reward God promised to them. Jesus invites us to live in the rich joy and fulfillment of the Kingdom:
- The world looks at production. God values the motive.
- The world says, "what did you accomplish?" God asks, "Why did you do what you did?"
- The world says, "What's the bottom line?" God says: "Show me your heart."
We cannot tell by looking at others where they stand with the Lord. That's what Jesus means when he says: "The last will be first, and the first last" (v. 16). This parable teaches equality--not of opportunity, but of faithfulness. God is just; no one will be underpaid. God is generous; everyone will be surprised!
The Master is coming to the marketplace, and he's looking for workers! Don't worry if there will be a place for you to serve--there's plenty of work! And don't worry about your compensation--no one who serves in God's vineyard has ever been laid-off, and no one who faithfully works in the kingdom will ever be disappointed.
Blessings and love,
Your Pastor, Duff
