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This parable, recorded only by Matthew, is a lesson in humility. It was never intended to be used as comfort to those who delay making a decision for Christ, even though it continues with the theme of the last lesson that the first shall be last and the last first. This theme seems to be contrary to what we consider to be just. But before we make any such decisions, lets consider the following.
Jesus said that the Kingdom of Heaven is comparable to this situation. A man who owned a vineyard hired men to work the vineyard at four different times in one day. Some he hired at 6 in the morning, some at 9 in the morning, some at 12 noon, and finally, some at 5 in the afternoon. When he hired the ones at 6 in the morning, he agreed to pay them a denarius, about $20.00. To the rest, as he hired them, he agreed to pay them what was right. At 6 in the evening, when the work day was over, he called in the men and beginning with those who had only worked one hour, he paid them. Now this is where the trouble began. All, regardless of how many hours they had worked, got paid the same, one denarius. Those who had only worked one hour got paid the same as those who had worked 12 hours. Those who had worked for 12 hours "grumbled" because those who had only worked one hour got the same as they did. Doesn't seem right, does it?
We said that this parable applies to two areas of Christian life, lets look at the first one, salvation. If the "pay", one denarius, represents our salvation, we certainly cannot argue about the fairness of the decision of the owner of the vineyard. Salvation is full and complete to all regardless of when it is given. Early in life or late in life, the reward is the same. The agreement between God and man is the same regardless when, in a person's life, it is made.
Note that they were all "available", at the beginning of the day, but the owner "choose" only those he wanted. But at various other times during the day, he went back and choose others. It was his prerogative to hire whom he choose, when he choose. This, of course, is God's prerogative also. Notice also, that they did not complain about the time in which they were hired, they allowed this to be the prerogative of the owner, but they complained about the results of their labor, it being the same for those who labored only one hour as it was for those who had labored all day.
Notice that those who complained were those who had worked all day. Those who had worked only one hour, did not complain. Question: Should those who have given their whole life to the Lord be rewarded more than those who come to Christ late in life? Do you think there should be degrees of salvation depending on length of service? "What shall we say then, is there injustice on God's part?" "By no means, for He said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy." (Rom. 10:14) Salvation is the gift of God, it is His to give, equally to all, as He sees fit.
Now lets apply the parable to Sanctification. All these workers were saved. All were partakers of God's Grace, but not all were called to the same job or for the same amount of time. Many who are called late in life, attain greater knowledge, service and witness than some who are called earlier. Why? To what degree are we able to control our spiritual growth? What control did the workers have over when they were hired? We would like to think that those hired later were sleeping in that morning or were somewhere else when the owner came to hire, but the truth is, they were all there, they had stood there idle for some time. No one had hired them.
There are many who argue for "freewill", but this parable demonstrates that there is no free will until and unless the "owner" calls. So, that being so, where does our responsibility lies in relation to spiritual growth? To work in an area in which we are not called is fruitless. To not work in an area that we are called is a sin and a waste of talents. Talents are the gifts of God thru the Holy Spirit. We must determine what they are and never waste them. However, we do have the freedom of choice in the exercise of those "God given" talents, just as the workers did when the owner chose them. They could have starved for bread just as we will starve for spiritual growth if we do not go to work for the Lord when we are called. What about the complaints? Were they justified? Had they ALL not received what they had been promised when they were hired? Had the owner paid those who worked longest, first, would anyone have complained? Notice how the owner responds. "Friend, I have done you no wrong, did I not pay you what we agreed?" I like what Matthew Henry has to say about this. "It is not debatable, God can do no wrong. Whatever God does to us or withholds from us, is His option and He does us no wrong. If God gives grace to others that He denies to us, it is kindness to them but no injustice to us. We should not find fault but count our blessings." Each had received what had been agreed to when they were hired. To the first, one denarius, to the others, whatever was right and to the owner, one denarius was right for all of them. "Take what is yours and go your way."
The application of this parable is not easy. It may be just possible that those who have been called late in life to be Christians, may be compensated by many talents. Also, we must be aware of the sin of the older brother of the prodigal son, that of pride. Long service is hard on humility. Experience is often over rated where God is concerned. Grace far outshines experience and seniority.
The truth of this parable is that whatever we are and when ever we become whatever we are, is God's prerogative. Difficult, isn't it?
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