“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?’ Matthew 20:1-15 NIV
God, of course, is the “landowner,” soliciting workers in this simple story that Jesus tells to help us understand His desire to have many people working together to build His kingdom. The analogy gives us several important insights.
- God never stops inviting workers into His kingdom.
- Where ever you are on your spiritual journey, it’s not too late to respond to God’s invitation.
- Not only are you welcome, but regardless of when you start following God, you can expect great reward from your Heavenly Father.
‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ That was the landowners question, and if you’ve not yet committed your life to Jesus, that’s the question God is asking you? He has purpose for your life! Just like the landowner, He is imploring you with this directive, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’
Why is God so intent on having more followers sharing the Gospel message with the world? Matthew tells us why earlier in his book.
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:35-38
God is compassionate, not willing that any should perish! Is that the kind of God you want to serve?