The Well

HIS FAIRNESS DISPLAYED

"For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the owner of an estate who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work.
"At nine o'clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. At noon and again around three o'clock he did the same thing. At five o'clock that evening he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, 'Why haven't you been working today?'
"They replied, 'Because no one hired us.'"
"The owner of the estate told them, 'then go on out and join the others in my vineyard.'
"That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. When those hired at five o'clock were paid, each received a full day's wage. When those hired earlier came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day's wage. When they received their pay, they protested, '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.'
"He answered one of them, 'Friend, I haven't been unfair! Didn't you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take it 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 angry because I am kind?'
"And so it is, that many who are first now will be last then; and those who are last now will be first then."
Matthew 20:1-16

Our Father doesn't want us preparing to enter into a Kingdom when we die that we know nothing about. Therefore, through the teachings of Jesus He tried to give us a glimpse of what His Kingdom is like. In this parable Jesus is teaching many marvelous truths.

1. The Kingdom of God is not based on seniority. We aren't rewarded for when we come to Him, but for the faith it takes to come to Him.
2. He pays all of His workers the same wages. He knows that it takes the same amount of money to feed an all day worker as it does a part-time worker. (Wish the world knew that!)
3. He stands on His promises.

Most of us know those things, but several years ago I heard a preacher that the early workers had prepared themselves to work. They were people anyone would hire – sort of like the Pharisees. The second group of people were menial workers; they simply worked because they had to. Yet, the last group of people are the people God is calling to work for Him today. They aren't typical workers (Christians), they aren't prepared, but they are hungry for more of Him.

What group do you fit in? Are you accepting of the workers God is calling to speak for Him today? Are you like Governor Sarah Palin, will you make a stand even when your life isn't perfect? You might learn something that isn't all tangled up in theology!