Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard Matt 20:1-16
Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard Matt 20:1-16
We have likely heard that this parable talks of how the reward is the same for those who come first or those who come last into the kingdom. But I have always been fascinated by something else of this vineyard owner. He likely got all the workers that he needed, that were necessary for the amount of work when he first went out in the morning. But here he was continuing to hire workers through the day. He gave them work and they earned the agreed reward.
The landowner gives and gives
He gave their day meaning and worth, contributing to something greater and helping oneself too. He was rich beyond compare and shared his wealth with others. What a generous picture!
I am reminded of a meme on Facebook, a video actually, of a lady who goes out in the morning and does her shopping at the outdoor market. She goes out haggling for every purchase, paying the stallholders little. She goes on to lunch with friends later, paying the tab for all of them. She leaves a large tip and even tips the doorman of the restaurant. Panning by the market again, it is striking the level of wealth at the restaurant and even of the doorman, compared to the market stalls and the workers there.
The lady clearly had enough money to pay generously for her market purchases, where haggling has saved her 1 or 2 dollars. Those 1 or 2 dollars could provide for the school supplies and the lunches of the market people’s children.
Generosity of God
So, today I think more of the generosity of the vineyard owner than the compensation that will be the same for all. I see more the generosity of the vineyard owner, who gave because he could and saw no value in withholding from others. The vineyard owner who offers work to all, adding meaning to their day.
Character of God
Is this a parable of the ‘first shall be last and the last first’? I think it is more about the character of God. Jesus is telling us that God has called us and is waiting for us to show up, like those who arrived later to find work. The kingdom of God is still offered to you now. It is not a one-time deal. Jesus offers that kingdom, free of debt and ready for you to accept. He loves you and wants to be part of his kingdom. Won’t you come?
This post has been updated and revised from the Parables of Matthew series from August 2019.
