Because I am Generous...
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Because I Am Generous
Because I Am Generous
Congregational Reading
Matthew 20:1-16
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
(NIV)
20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went.
“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’
20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
7 “ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.
“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’
3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went.
8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’
9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’
13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. 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?’
“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’
16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
Meet Jonathan
Meet Jonathan
7 “ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.
“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’
8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’
9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’
13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. 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?’
16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Meet Jonathan
(NIV)
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
“About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went.
“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’
“ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.
“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’
“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’
“The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’
“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.
3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went.
“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’
7 “ ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.
“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’
8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’
Meet Jonathan
Meet Jonathan
9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’
13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. 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?’
16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Meet Jonathan
Opportunity
Opportunity
Sunrise. It was a beautiful day. Jonathan was that shaky form limping toward the marketplace.
The morning was full of possibilities. It was another opportunity.
You have the opportunity to work, you get the opportunity to eat. That was the system.
Everyone was there. Strong and weak alike. There was sort of a pecking order. Jonathan wasn’t doing much pecking...
A landowner came to hire people to work in his vineyard. Jonathan could hear the discussion… A denarius a day was the wage… A full day’s work for a full day’s pay...
His heart raced as he tried to step more lively to get close enough to get picked, but he was just a couple seconds late. So he watched the backs of the early birds and the strong move farther ahead of him… Some days it felt like he would never catch up.
first round draft picks always get all the perks...
first round draft picks always get all the perks...
The first-round draft picks always get all the perks… But Jonathan was determined to make the most of it, so he looked around. He saw some friends and went over to catch up on the latest news. The time passed quickly at first. Mordecai was giving a riveting presentation bout the corns on his feet...
9am
9am
About 9am, the landowner returned. He called for more workers. Jonathan didn’t want to be rude as Mordecai was finishing up his fascinating story about how sandals never fit right. He excused himself and shuffled along as quickly as possible. But again, the dust from the south end of a northbound work wagon put a veil between him and sweet salvation.
It’s okay, he thought. I can’t get a full day’s wage, but there’s still time. It’ll be all right… I never got picked first on the playground either...
He thought about his wife. How they had come here with heads full of dreams. She still had those dreams stored away in her heart. She was such a good wife. So faithful. So loving. And the kids: “Daddy, today we’re going to pray to God of heaven. He will answer our prayers. You will find work.” The faith of a child. He wanted to believe...
High Noon
High Noon
At noon, the first rounders took a break. They looked back on the baskets of grapes that had been harvested. One of them was thinking, “I’m just reflecting on a job well done...” It was heating up out there. They already had half a day in. It felt good. Good to have a place to work; a team to work with. To be part of something from the beginning. For just a moment he thought about those poor slobs back at the marketplace… Still standing around… He was proud to be one of the first.
Hunger
Hunger
The landowner returned one again and others were invited and taken… For the first time Jonathan felt hunger… He stared down at the sack in his hand. His wife had lovingly packed it with care. He knew it was the last food in the house. He knew that his wife knew there was no more food… But she had packed it for him and kissed him on the cheek and squeezed life into him. This was a last supper. A sacred meal. He couldn’t bring himself to eat it.
3pm
3pm
By 3pm it was an unusually warm fall day. The landowner went out again. The first-rounders glanced at each other. “Get a load of this! More workers. We’ve been here all day. What is our work not good enough? We’ve almost got this project wrapped up. What’s the use? They’re not going to earn anything worthwhile today...
Hopes Fading...
Hopes Fading...
As the afternoon faded toward evening, Jonathan’s concern turned to quiet desperation. Will the kids eat today? How can I even go home with no nourishment to offer? He looked at his hands. They were trembling. This was it. Once again life has passed him by… Plenty of hope for others. No hope for Jonathan. The hunger he felt went beyond the physical. He was yearning for a reason to live; for a job to do. The tears began to flow as he poured out his heart to heavens.
“Why am I so empty? So unworthy?” As he watched the sun sink in the sky, he wondered if he would ever feel those rays on his face again… But he pushed back those dark thoughts.
5pm
5pm
At 5pm the tears cleared and he saw something moving on the horizon. His heart pounded. Could it be? There was a form topping the hill coming from the direction of the vineyard. How many times had the owner trodden this path? But his step never slowed. His gaze was still just as steady and kind. Everyone knew that his vineyard was by far the best. Row after row of beautiful, bountiful clusters of grapes. As far as the eye could see. Speaking of eyes. His were as warm as you’ll see. Every couple of hours his workers got a break. It was said they would gather around sometimes and he would listen to their stories and tell a few of his own. They said working there was like being a member of a family. Jonathan didn’t have a lot of faith. But the prayers of his children must have broken through the heavens. He stepped up once again. Was the owner looking at him? Now it was definite. He was walking right toward him and his friends. Even Mordecai who was trying to put his sandal back on.
Because no one has hired us
Because no one has hired us
Friends, why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing? There was a brief awkward silence. Jonathan found the words: “Because no one has hired us.”
You also go and work in my vineyard
You also go and work in my vineyard
You also, go and work in my vineyard. Finally. Jonathan was beaming. Even if only for an hour, here was his chance. Like a bench-warming little-leaguer finally stepping up to the plate, he hardly noticed his limp as he made his way to the vineyard...
Quittin’ Time
Quittin’ Time
The foreman blew the horn at 6pm and the men lined up for their pay. There was joy in the vineyard after a job well done. They had moved mountains together. Even the late-comers had worked hard. A few of the first-rounders patted them on the back. After all, they weren’t a threat. It was pay-time. This was going to separate the first-rounders from the late picks. The early-birds could hardly wait. A full day’s work, for a full day’s pay.
The foreman shouted out instructions as the men lined up. Newcomers first, early birds last.
A Full Day’s Pay
A Full Day’s Pay
When the foreman placed a denarius in Jonathan’s hand, he was ecstatic. He shouted with joy. The early birds noticed and began to dream of what they would get for all their time and labor. But they got the same. They took it like a slap in the face. At first they were shocked into silence. But that didn’t last long.
Disgruntled Employees...
Disgruntled Employees...
They couldn’t be happy…They began to grumble about bearing the main burden of the work and the heat of the day. Their burned holes in Jonathan first…then the landowner. He walked over and cleared his throat. They looked up as he said: “Friend, I’m not being unfair to you… Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and be happy.
But they couldn’t be happy...
We may not be able to point our finger at them without pointing in a mirror
Some of us who have been in the church all our lives may be thinking there is more for us in the end...
Like Peter said just a few verses earlier, (NIV)
Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
It may tug at the sense of fairness many of us have...
Is it Fair?
Is it Fair?
The first-rounders worked longer and accomplished more
Like the elder brother, the good son who stayed home while the prodigal played,
we just know there will be
or should be
or BETTER BE a special honor for us...
Merit Pay?
Merit Pay?
WE WANT WHAT WE RIGHTFULLY DESERVE!!
WE WANT OUR FULL PAY...
OUR MERIT PAY!
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
That’s not how it works in the Kingdom of God. Thanks be to God it’s not. If it was none of us would have a chance! Though we were lifted off the ground with joy when we were first forgiven, could it be that we barely believe in grace anymore?
It’s always our own 11th hour when we empty ourselves to ask Christ to forgive us and lead us...
But oh we get so good at the church thing. The God-thing. It can creep in: maybe we do deserve it after all...
A lifetime of service can’t erase our sin or earn our salvation...
A lifetime of service can’t erase our sin or earn our salvation...
BUT
BUT
I’m so glad for that little word...
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It’s the extravagant grace of the landowner. The extravagant grace of our loving Lord. It’s breathtaking. It’s mind-blowing. It’s freeing. If we let it be...
Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you.
When the owner was talking to the grumbling ones, he continued...
There was that gleam of warmth in his eye again…maybe even a tear?
It was unmistakable. This was his heart, as he said:
I want to give to this one who came last, just what I gave to you...
Let God be Gracious
Let God be Gracious
Aren’t you going to let me do what I want with my gift of grace?
Or are you jealous because I’m generous?
Jonathan got an amazing reward because he served as amazing, generous Lord.
He has compassion on everyone and goes back again and again to the marketplace to call us all into his vineyard...
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
No one deserves it.
But God wants to give it to all...
Oh friends, can you see it? Can you see the Father’s heart? Can you hear his call?
A Fresh Wind of Grace
A Fresh Wind of Grace
Close your eyes… Let the fresh wind of grace blow through your heart this morning...
You need it. You especially need it if you’ve been a disciple of Jesus for as long as you can remember.
If you’re new to the faith, you’re not discounted...
If you’re still waiting in the marketplace…? You’re invited in right now. Be done with your sin. Receive Jesus and his forgiveness. Follow Him. By His Grace, there’s a place for you.
Let’s just pause in this moment of grace
The Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God
You see, in the Kingdom… at the end of the day...
We get...
Jesus
Jesus
Jesus
All of us the same...
All we really need...
More than enough...