Workers and Wages: Matthew 20:1-16

This parable is challenging and controversial, so what on earth is it about?

A landowner hires workers at different times of the day to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius, the usual daily wage for a labourer. At the end of the day, he paid them all the same amount, regardless of how long they had worked. This caused some of the workers who had worked the longest hours, to complain and grumble against him, saying that he was unfair and unjust. We may well feel that the workers have some justification - it’s not fair that those who have laboured all day should be paid the same as those who have only completed one hour’s work - or is it? The landowner defended his actions, saying that he was a generous and gracious person, and that he had the right to do what he wanted with his own money.

So what is Jesus telling us through this story?

"God's grace isn't earned; it's a gift. We don't work for it; we simply receive it with open hearts." (Unknown)

God’s Generosity Knows No Bounds. God is not miserly with his blessings. He’s not limited by human standards of fairness. He’s not bound by our expectations. God is free to give as he pleases, and he gives abundantly. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. This is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Salvation is the greatest gift that God has given to us. We can’t earn it or deserve it by our efforts. God freely offers it out of his love and kindness. We can only receive it by faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

The Importance of Faith and Obedience. These must surely be our response to God’s generosity and grace. They are the evidence of our love and gratitude for God. Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Faith is essential for pleasing God. Faith is trusting in God’s character and promises. Faith is relying on God’s power and provision. Faith is seeking God’s will and glory. Faith and obedience are essential in our relationship with God.

Let Go of Grudges and Envy. How easy to say this, and how difficult to actually do it! Such feelings are the enemies of our peace. They are obstacles to fellowship and unity. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” We need to put away negative and harmful emotions that can destroy our relationships with others. They are not worth holding on to and only serve to rob us of happiness and contentment.

We are called to work together in God’s kingdom. We are not competitors or rivals, but co-workers and partners. Paul also wrote in Ephesians 4:11-16, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.”

So Jesus concludes by saying, “the last will be first, and the first last.” This is a statement of grace and mercy. God does not judge by human standards of merit or performance, but by his divine standards of love and compassion. Therefore, God does not reward us according to human expectations, but according to His divine generosity and grace. God does not treat us as we deserve or as we think we deserve, but as He chooses and as He delights. Let us then be grateful and joyful for what God has done for us and given to us. Let’s also be faithful and obedient to what God has called us to do and be. And let’s be kind and loving to one another as God has been to us.