The Vineyard Owner Written by Neal Bowes

Monday, August 16

Matthew 20:13-15
¹³ "But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? ¹⁴ Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. ¹⁵ Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'

Jesus told a parable about a man who owned a vineyard. At six in the morning, he went out to hire some people to work for the day, offering to pay each of them $100 for the day. So, they agree and go to work.

The man goes out at 9:00, noon, and 3:00 and hires some more workers.

At 5:00, the vineyard owner goes into town once again and finds some people who hadn't found work all day. He tells them to go to work at his place.

When 6:00 comes around and the workers line up to collect their pay, the owner pays them all $100! The workers who had been there only an hour can't believe it! But those who had been there all day began to complain, saying it wasn't fair because they had worked for 12 hours and got paid the same as some who had worked for only one.

The owner says: Hang on a second. I'm not treating you unfairly. I paid you exactly what we agreed to this morning. You're just mad because I decided to be generous to those who came later.

Jesus says the kingdom of Heaven is like this. There are people who go to church since the day they are born. They develop a relationship with God early in life and strive to live according to Jesus' teachings. Then, there are people who go through most of their lives not knowing God at all. They get into some pretty nasty things and aren't very concerned with pleasing God. Only later in life do they come to know God and get themselves on the right path for eternity.

Jesus says the latecomer's reward will be just as awesome as those who have been on the right path for their entire lives.

The temptation is to say: That's not fair! I've lived my entire life being careful to do the things Jesus would have me do. I have avoided bad parties; I have sacrificed popularity, all to please God. This guy has lived like a scoundrel, drunk all the time, bullying people...and now that he has "seen the light," he gets the same reward I do?

But before we give in to that temptation, let's consider something that truly is unfair: Jesus had to die so that we could live forever. Eternity is his gift, and he can give it to whomever he wants. He chooses to offer it to everyone who accepts it.

In prayer today, pray for those who do not yet know God. Ask God for the opportunity to introduce somebody to God. And ask God for the courage to make the most of that opportunity.


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