"Unfair Labor Practices! Unfair!"

Scripture Passage

Matthew 20:1-16; Mark 10:32-34; Matthew 20:17-19; Luke 18:31-34; Mark 10:35-45; Matthew 20:20-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-19:27

Scripture Focus

“Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?” (Matthew 20:15 NLT)

Observation

I love the parable of the “vineyard workers” found in today’s reading (Matthew 20:1-16). Jesus tells the story of a vineyard owner who heads to the marketplace in search of some day laborers as harvest help. At nine in the morning, he hires several, promising them a fair wage. He does the same at noon, at 3:00 P.M., and at 5:00 P.M.

The story is composed of elements familiar to Jesus’ listeners—this was all typical of daily life. The story takes a turn, however, at the close of the day when the workers are paid. Those hired last are paid first, and receive a full day’s wage! (Sweet deal! Who doesn’t want on *that* gravy train?) Those hired earlier in the day see this, and expect their wages to exceed what they’d agreed to. But that’s not the case—when they’re paid, they’re paid exactly what every worker was paid, no matter how long or diligently they’d labored.

The “early” workers are ticked! “Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat” (Matthew 20:12 NLT). That’s an accurate statement, but an invalid complaint.  Listen to the vineyard owner’s reply…

“He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?” (Matthew 20:13-14 NLT)

That’s really the bottom line…and that last question, I think, settles the issue! No laborer was treated unfairly, and the owner has the right to be as generous with his resources as he wishes, to whomever he wishes!

What’s the point of the story? It is another missile directed at the religious leaders of Jesus’ day who were so perturbed at Jesus’ open invitation to “anyone and everyone” to participate in God’s Kingdom! “How unfair! We’ve done the work! We’ve studied the Scriptures! We’ve obeyed the commands! And now anyone can just waltz in based on the generosity of God and enjoy the same benefits we thought were ours exclusively?”

Short answer: Yes.

“So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16 NLT)

“Lord, help me to never begrudge your generosity, and to always rejoice at the blessings you pour out on ‘anyone and everyone’.  Thank you for your generosity toward me!”

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