Matthew 20:1-16 Fair Wages

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.  When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard.  And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place;  and to those he said, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' And so they went.  Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing.  And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day long?'  They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.'   "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.'  When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each one received a denarius.  When those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius.  When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner,  saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.'  But he answered and said to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius?  Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you.  Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?'  So the last shall be first, and the first last."  [Matthew 20:1‭-‬16 NASB]

This parable is a follow up to Jesus' previous comments, And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last; and the last, first. [Matthew 19:29‭-‬30 NASB]

The workers contracted for a denarius, which is a normal day's wage. He went out again at about 9:00 AM, Noon, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM, each time hiring workers. At the end of the day, he called in the 5:00 group first, finishing with the early morning group. The first group was angry that the last group were paid the same as them, even though they did not do as much work.

Jesus is illustrating the judgement of the saints, as we stand before the judgement seat of Christ. Understand that the judgement seat of Christ does not include judgement for sins, they have been forgiven. This is the time when we will receive our rewards for our obedience to Christ.

The point Jesus is making in his illustration is that what seems fair to us, may not be fair to God. He says, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts." [Isaiah 55:9 NASB]

Paul said, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" [Romans 11:33 NASB]

There is an old story of a preacher who preached faithfully in a church from his youth until his very old age. When he finally died, he stood before the judgement of Christ, and received a meager reward. Astonished, he said, "I have preached from my youth until I died at an old age. I have been faithful all this time. Where is my great reward?" and the Lord answered him, "There was another man who, from his youth until his old age, sat on the front steps of your church and prayed. He was never acknowledged in his life, and never sought recognition nor reward. His reward in Heaven will be great."

We tend to think in human terms. We expect a preacher or full-time minister to receive a greater reward than a plumber. "After all," we say, "They've devoted their lives to God's service."

But God doesn't think like we do. You may be a laborer, or an office worker, or even in the clergy. What matters most is that you are obedient to the Spirit of God to do as He wants you. Has He made you to be a preacher, then preach obediently. Has He made you to be a laborer or to work in an office? Then do your work as unto the Lord.

What is important is that you are obedient to do what the Lord has called you to do. If all you can do is sit at home and pray, then pray faithfully.

I expect that when we stand before the Lord, many who have been first in this life, that is the preachers, conference leaders, and famous faces, will find that they have already received much of their reward in this life, as they receive the praise and acknowledgement of men.

I think the truly great people in the kingdom of heaven will be like the poor woman who put only a penny into the temple treasury. Out of her poverty, she gave all she had and received praise from Jesus. They will be the people that no one has heard of, quietly and faithfully serving God, each in his own way.

I encourage you to do whatever it is that your hand finds to do for the kingdom of God, in obedience to the Spirit of God. Never think your contribution is too small. If you are doing what God has called you to do, then your contribution is not too small, it is just right.