Fair and Generous

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:16 (NIV)

Every parent of siblings has heard it: "That's not fair!" We come wired with a sensitive fairness meter. When one child receives something different than their brother or sister, when one child receives a different sort of corrective discipline, or when mom and dad have differing standards for their kids, the “it’s not fair” complaints come out. 

In Matthew 20, Jesus told the story of a landowner who hired workers for his vineyard. At the beginning of day, in the early morning hours he and the workers agreed on the price for a full day’s labor and they went to work. At 9am, at noon, at 3pm, and then again at 5pm he went out to find more workers, but instead of agreeing on a price, simply told them that he would pay them what is right. At the end of the day, the foreman called all the workers together and gave each of them the exact same wage. Those who worked 12 hours got paid the same as those who worked only 1. How do you think the first workers responded? That’s right—"unfair.” 

 The master’s response is so important for us: 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?’ 

The first workers received exactly what they were promised. Their problem wasn't injustice. It was envy. Jesus’s own disciples were not happy with the attention that the new followers of Jesus were receiving. Spiritual jealousy is a real concern. But Jesus wanted them to focus on the generosity of the Master. 

What do you think God owes you? Romans 6:23 says that what we have earned is death. Eternal life is a pure gift. Be on guard against jealously and entitlement. God has been gracious to you and you should rejoice when you see God’s grace at work in others. Rejoice because the Lord is good. He makes the last, first.