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Many of Jesus' parables are difficult to understand because of the cultural differences between his time and place and ours. However, in the parable of the laborers in the vineyard from Matthew Chapter 20 we have a situation not dissimilar from some places in our own country. True much of the available day labor in our country is in construction in or near cities rather than in the country in vineyards. Although there are still places where seasonal day labor is used to harvest crops.

In the story Jesus tells the owner of a vineyard who goes to where men looking for daily employment are waiting for job opportunities. He takes those who are available and agrees to pay them the going rate for a days work. Later he returns looking for more help and finds more men. He agrees to pay them whatever is right. Twice more he returns. Twice more he finds people to hire. Each time those who are hired agree to work for whatever he is willing to pay.

At the end of the day it is time to pay the workers. The owner begins with the last hired. Surprisingly, he pays them a full day's pay. Those who started earlier in the day begin to expect they might get more than promised. However, everyone receives the same amount. Those hired first begin to complain. We worked all day and through all its heat. It's not fair to pay those who only worked a little the same as us.

The owner replies explaining that he is being fair. He paid the first hired exactly what he promised.

'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'

Like all parables the interpretation works best when we use the principle of How much more? If in this world, a rich land owner can be generous to those hired late in the day, how much more God can be generous with forgiveness and mercy to everyone who signs up regardless of when.

Just as the workers hired early in the day feel it is unfair, there are those who think the payment of a heavenly eternal life is an unfair reward for those who convert late in life. However, Jesus saying the Last shall be first and the first shall be last. is a warning for those who think they have their reward in hand. God's mercy is overly generous. However, jealousy, envy, and judgment are pathways that lead away from God. Like Jesus we are called to rejoice with those who come to faith especially late in the day.

Learn more about this author, Geoffrey Schmitt.
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