An Unexpected Lesson From a Generous Boss

By Denise Trio

“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.”—Matthew 20:1–16 (NIV)

To a child, the concept of equality is especially evident. “That’s not fair! She got more than me!” “That’s not fair! He gets to stay up later than me!” Maybe you’ve heard your children, nieces, or nephews say this. Maybe you’ve even said it yourself as a child . . . or even as an adult. We carry this desire for fairness—and we see this addressed in this parable.

A boss had a piece of land, a vineyard, and needed to hire some employees. He went out and hired people to work the land at 9am, 12pm, 3pm, and 5pm. Logically, the employees who worked less should be paid less, and those who worked more should be paid more. Instead, they’re all paid the same.

That’s not fair!

However, the ones who started at 9am agreed to work for a day's wage, and they were paid a day’s wage. That’s fair. Everyone was paid what they agreed to work for, and the boss was faithful to the agreement. The danger came when the employees compared their wages with the others and judged the unfairness. But the boss is entirely free to pay whatever he wants to those he hires. The lesson here is not about fairness, it’s about generosity.

This parable is in the midst of a discourse Jesus is having with His disciples. In chapter 19, they had just had an encounter with a rich young ruler, and Jesus’ disciples were asking some follow up questions, wondering what they were going to gain because they had left everything to follow Jesus, as opposed to the rich young ruler who did not. Jesus responded that at the time of judgment, everyone who has sacrificed to follow Him would receive a reward (and persecution—Mark 10:30) in this age and in the life to come. Just before Jesus shared this parable, He tells the disciples that the last will be first. Here’s another one of Jesus’ reversals. In fact, it’s so important that He repeats this same phrase at the end of this story about the workers in the vineyard.

In this parable, Jesus is addressing the grumblers—both His disciples who were wrestling with some tough questions and the religious leaders who were outwardly opposed to Jesus. They likely all thought that they’d be “paid more” for their “work in His vineyard.” But this response opposes their expectations. This is the way of the kingdom. This is what God is like. He’s generous! His invitation is to everyone! He’s an equal opportunity God!

Let’s be honest. We’ve all had a few questions like the disciples. We’ve all complained like the religious leaders. Life doesn’t feel fair sometimes. But I can assure you that God, the Righteous Judge, is just and fair.

Through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension, He made a way for everyone to enter the kingdom. Rather than grumbling because the person who receives Jesus on their deathbed enters heaven, we ought to rejoice in His great generosity, share His open invitation, and trust His character. Let God be the judge of fairness, while you enjoy His generosity and provision in your life!

Pause: When you compare your situation to others, what feelings come to mind? When you reflect on Jesus’ generosity, what feelings come to mind? How might prioritizing your thoughts to Jesus’ character and goodness first help your feelings and behaviors?

Practice: Create a gratitude list. What are you grateful for today? How have you seen God’s generosity in your life? How have you seen God’s generosity in other people’s lives?

Pray: Jesus, thank You so much for Your generosity. You were so generous that You gave it all for me, and for others. I empty my hands and my heart and my mind of any presuppositions of what I deserve or what I think is fair. I want You to fill my hands, my heart, and my mind with thoughts of You and Your kingdom. I repent of my judgments and release You to be the ruler of my life. Thank You for providing for me, for giving generously, and loving me unconditionally. Help me to share that generosity with others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.