Posted: Feb 18, 08 12:13am
This is our final parable. Will you let me know if these have have had value?
49. Workers In The Vineyard
M't:20:1: For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. M't:20:2: And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. M't:20:3: And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, M't:20:4: And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. M't:20:5: Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. M't:20:6: And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? M't:20:7: They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. M't:20:8: So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. M't:20:9: And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. M't:20:10: But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. M't:20:11: And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, M't:20:12: Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. M't:20:13: But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? M't:20:14: Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. M't:20:15: Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? M't:20:16: So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
This parable represents the Kingdom of Heaven showing us that God is a debtor to no man, and that many who begin last with little hope in religion, sometimes by the blessing of God arrive at greater attainments, and that the reward given to the saints will not be according to the length of their conversion, but according to the grace of God.
A man who is a householder makes agreement to hire laborers. God here is the one who hires laborers to save them from idleness and poverty. Until we are hired in God’s vineyard of service, we are standing idle in His Kingdom. He promises them a day’s wages for a day’s work. This signifies that there is a reward set before us. He pays us whatsoever is right in heavenly currency. The day is here signifying our life. The several hours in the day is applied to the several ages and stages of life in which souls are converted to Christ.
First, these that are very young and have been sent early in the morning. Second, those who are in middle age as the third, sixth, or ninth hour. God has work to be done for all ages. Thirdly, those who are hired in old age at the eleventh hour. True repentance is never too late.
When the evening had come the account was taken. Evening here is the reckoning hour. They did not come for their pay until they were called. They received every man a penny. Though there be degrees of glory in heaven, every man shall have sufficient happiness. God distributes this reward by grace and sovereignty, and not of debt. We are under grace and not under the law.
Some of the laborers take offense and murmur at the householder. They will not be murmuring in heaven, but there is murmuring at the things concerning heaven. These laborers make objection to their master because the others were made equal with them; co-heirs with Christ Jesus. They undervalue the worth of the other laborers while overvaluing their own service.
The master then urges, “Friend, I did you no wrong.” God can do no wrong. He refers them to the original bargain, “Didn’t you agree to the penny?” He then ties them to the agreement, “Take what I have offered, and go your way.” They were all equally offered the free gift of salvation. We should never envy the acceptance of salvation of anyone. What God has to offer is His own to do with through providence. “Is it because I am good that your eye is evil?” God is good, God does good, and we are to love God always, and our neighbor as ourselves. To stop any boasting of any disciple, Jesus here states, “So the first shall be last, and the last first.” This is so we may not be found hypocrites in our profession and that we may not compare our successors work to ours.
Have you ever/or are you standing idle in God’s Kingdom?
Have you ever envied someone that was sent out early in life, or later in life because their ministry appears to be more fruitful or rewarding than yours?
What does the wages in heavenly currency mean to you?
