Matthew 20:1 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who went out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the workers on a wage of one denarius, [the standard daily wage,] he sent them off to his vineyard. 3 Then, on going out at about nine in the morning, he saw more men standing around in the market-square doing nothing, 4 and said to them, ‘You go to the vineyard too — I’ll pay you a fair wage.’ So they went. 5 At noon, and again around three in the afternoon, he did the same thing. 6 About an hour before sundown, he went out, found still others standing around, and asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day, doing nothing?” 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ ‘You too,’ he told them, ‘go to the vineyard.’
8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last ones hired and ending with the first.’ 9 The workers who came an hour before sunset each received a denarius, 10 so the workers who came first expected they would get more, but each of them also received just a denarius. 11 On receiving their wages, they began grumbling to the farmer, 12 ‘These latecomers have worked only one hour, while we have borne the brunt of the day’s work in the hot sun, yet you have put them on an equal footing with us!’ 13 But he answered one of them, ‘Look, friend, I’m not being unfair with you. Didn’t you agree to work today for a denarius? 14 Now take your pay and go! I choose to give the last worker as much as I’m giving you. 15 Haven’t I the right to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 Thus the last ones will be first and the first last.”
These workers began the day in need of work. Actually, if they were like most of us, the workers were in need of provision, not work. If they were self-sufficient, they could just work around their own property if “work” was all they needed. But they were counting on others to offer them the opportunity to earn a wage. An opportunity to survive.
Now the Farmer went to them to offer them work. He sought the men out Himself. The workers, understanding their true need in that hour, gladly accepted the offer for work. And agreed that a day’s wage was more than fair.
From the early morning hours, these workers labored in the vineyard all the while knowing their family would be just fine. The work was hard but it was worth it. Peace of mind in exchange for a little discomfort. Easy trade.
But is this why we work? Nope. It’s for different reasons altogether. We don't work because of our need. We work because of our want.
You likely began by seeking provision for survival but then it quickly escalated into provision for comfort and dominion.
Ungratefulness and discontentment has now made its entrance. And oh, that entrance is grand!
What of those other guys?
On the surface, it seems that the late workers were the ones that made out the best in this story. Afterall, a few hours of labor for a full day’s wage? Not a bad deal.
But think about those workers that came later in the day. The later and later it got, the more stressed these men must have been. How would their family eat if they could not secure provision? They would come back home that evening and have to face their family with nothing in hand. They were willing to work but no work could be found.
Think about this person as they walk to the door of their home. Standing there, delaying their entry as long as possible because they were about to face those that depend on him to eat. He’s the covering of their home, and he can’t even bring home food.
How would you feel at that moment?
About to look your children in the eyes knowing they would be going to bed hungry.
And then you get to try again tomorrow. And what if no work is found two days in a row? 3 days? 10?
Reality is staring this man straight in the face.
Late in the day, faced with a stress we cannot even begin to comprehend, a Man appears.
Imagine the gratitude and joy in this man’s heart. His family will be fine -- today.
So the latecomers are not really the winners, afterall.
The Farmer is continually seeking people to work the vineyard. No matter the time of day, there is more work than workers. So He continually looks for those willing to work the field. The laborers appear to be few.
This particular Farmer knows what every man needs each and every day. He’s willing to provide a full day’s wage for anyone that chooses to work the vineyard. He ensures the needs are met of each person that walks His field. The compassion He has for every one of them is evident in how He distributes provision among them. No man is above another when it comes to having enough for a home, food, and clothing. He sees to it that when each man goes home, he will face his family with a joyful and appreciative countenance.
The Farmer knows that it is in the home that these men rise and fall. He would never want a family to think that their father would leave them hungry. It’s because of the worker’s willingness to work that ensures the family is covered.
This Farmer honors that and makes a way.
For some reason the early workers forget how desperate they were when the day began.
They settled in and had that initial feeling of appreciation fade away. They turned the focus from the opportunity to work to their present conditions.
On receiving their wages, they began grumbling to the farmer, ‘These latecomers have worked only one hour, while we have borne the brunt of the day’s work in the hot sun, yet you have put them on an equal footing with us!’
The workers that came early were not saying the later workers deserved less, it was just that they deserved more. More than what they need.
The implication is that the Farmer is unfair. There is an illusion here that must be addressed. The Farmer’s concern for all men is what’s in play here. You aren’t being penalized for anything. You are getting what you need.
The illusion is that because you work more and harder, you should be rewarded accordingly. You should have more than your neighbor that seemingly works less. But all of the workers in the vineyard are deserving of clothing, food and a home.
But when we compare ourselves with others, ingratitude settles in. Then we realize we don't have enough and deserve even more. And when does that end? Never. It becomes a lifelong pursuit of wanting, getting, then wanting more.
Welcome to the beginning of your fall.
In light of this exchange, do you really think the Farmer will bring these men back to work the following day?
If someone agrees to terms then pushes to change those terms after it is all said and done, it is clear they have very weak character. They are spoiled brats. This is not someone you want around. That mentality is poison to all of the other workers.
So they must be let go.
“Hey wait, I worked for you in the vineyard, remember? I casted out demons and performed miracles in Your name. Of course you should remember me!”
And the response comes:
“I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!”
Do you think your sacrifice deserves more? More acknowledgement, more provision, more status?
There are going to be believers that don’t do very much during their “church career” but are still given their daily wage. But the stress, inadequacy, and striving have taken a toll. Instead of contempt, have compassion for them.
Those that came early had to work more, yes, but their emotional and spiritual state made for a pleasurable existence. Going home each day knowing your family will be fed, clothed, and sheltered.
Finding indescribable joy in having your nakedness covered -- is this you?
Living in a state of gratitude when you sit for a meal each evening -- is this you?
Looking up at the roof above you and your family, and having your heart swell with thankfulness -- is this you?
Is what you have enough? Is what He has given you enough?
Or do you deserve more?
Do you deserve more healing than anyone else? Do you deserve more grace and mercy than anyone else? Is your salvation worth more than anyone else’s?
Do you deserve to be sitting at the head table with the King?
No. You deserve to die.
Understand this and understand it well. Until you do, you will never really be grateful for what He has done for you. You will continue to hunt and seek the work that brings you pleasure in this life.
But it isn’t all about the work.
None of this is about doing. It’s about being.
Being in the vineyard of the King.
So get to work in that hot sun that is beating down on your back. And with every drop of sweat that falls from your brow, let two tears fall with it.
A tear of joy and a tear of gratitude.