Every Labor Day, we see labor groups marching on the streets, demanding for higher wages, better working conditions and more benefits. Sometimes they would call for the rollback of the prices of basic goods. Why do they do so? Are our workers really unfairly treated? Given that a lot of our workers are just contractual and thus are not given the benefits of full-time regular workers like SSS, health plans, vacation leaves, and sick leaves, we can say yes. Given that many workers are paid for less than they should given their skills and education, we can say yes. But are all instances of unfairness evil?
The “Unfairly” Treated Workers
In Matthew 20:1-16, we see Jesus telling the parable of the laborers in the vineyard because of the pride shown by the rich person and by Peter in the previous chapter. Jesus said that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who went out to look for laborers to work at his vineyard. This means that the rest of the story wil reveal how God, as king, will treat those who would follow Him. He found some at 6am and agreed that they will be paid one denarius each for a full days’ work, which is what was the going rate during those days. He went out again at 9am, noon, 3pm and 5pm to hire more workers and promised them to be paid what is right. At the end of the day, he paid each worker the same amount, regardless of how much time they spent working. Those hired first complained that they were unfairly treated because they were paid the same wage as those who worked for only one hour! But the vineyard owner said that he wasn’t being unfair, but simply being generous.
Looking closer at the parable, notice that he only negotiated with the first group, agreeing to pay them the minimum wage of those days. This is because these workers are the most able, the most qualified, the most hireable--thus these workers can command their wages. The later hirings hung on the promise that they will be “paid what is right.” If these day workers have not been hired yet at the time the vineyard owner came to them, then that means they weren’t that qualified. And being promised to be paid what is right means the best that they can expect is a wage based on how much time they spent working. Given that they weren’t hired before the vineyard owner came, they can’t demand much. Still, some wage is better than no wage. Now, who was unfairly treated?
The Economy of God
Who of these workers do you feel is unfairly treated? The answer to that question reveals how we view God and how we relate to Him. I confess that I feel that the first workers were unfairly treated. Shouldn’t those who work more be paid more? Isn’t Christ encouraging laziness in having the vineyard owner pay everybody equally? Yet God showed by this passage that I am wrong. The first workers were treated fairly because they were paid exactly what they agreed to be paid. The landowner kept his word. The workers who were paid the same for less work are the ones who are unfairly treated, because they were paid more for the work that they did. And all because they believed in the promise of being paid right.
This then is how God treats us. God is a just God. He will never shortchange anyone. He will give to all what they deserve. He will not withhold from anyone the good that is due to them. But beyond this fair treatment, God is free to be unfairly generous. He will give to those He would like to give, but he would never hold back what good is deserved.
The Scandalous Grace of God
This “unfairness” extends even to the salvation that He purchased for us at the Cross. How do you think would James and John feel when they, who walked with Jesus and worked in His ministry and supported Him and preached in His name, came into the Kingdom much later than did the convicted robber who was crucified together with Christ? How would you feel if you have served in church at the various ministries and yet the person you hated the most goes on to also be with God because at the last minute before she died she put her faith in Christ? Think of the worst person you know, historical or personal. Can you truly accept that Christ died to save such a person? Could you bear the thought that there is a very real possibility that you will be with this person for all eternity with the God you love?
But this is the love of God, that “while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly…while we were sinners, Christ died for us…while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son” (Romans 5:6,8,10). When we look at it, no one really deserves God’s love and salvation. When we look at ourselves we are undeserving of God. But God still extends His love and His salvation to us, just as He extends it to our enemies. When we are to be truly honest, we are all 9am, noon, 3pm and 5pm workers, completely depending on the promise of God because we know that if He gave us truly what we deserve, we will not survive. Here then is the good news in this parable: God in Christ is a gracious and generous God. If we follow Christ and labor in His vineyard, the LEAST we can expect is what we deserve, equal to the amount of work we put in. But knowing that our God is a generous God, He will give us more than what we deserve “according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19; see also Romans 10:12). God is not our employer who gives us only what we are due, but our Provider who gives us according to His riches, His generosity, His graciousness, and His love.
Challenge:
Brothers and sisters, let us who believe in in the mercy of Christ also extend such mercy to all around us. Let us remember that none of us deserve Christ’s love, and may this thought give us the perspective we need to extend His grace and love even to those we would rather see in hell. Let us accept that it is only by His grace one can be saved, and thus rejoice when the most wretched of people, even people who have hurt us, come to put their hope and faith in Christ and are thus saved, and break bread with those who once broke us.
*preached as a Labor Day message last 1 May 2011 at Jesus Christ our Hope and Redeemer Church, San Mateo, Rizal
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