Matthew 20:1-16

At The Heart Of Christianity Is The Grace Of God Matthew 20:1-16: The parable of the workers in the vineyard is a powerful lesson on the theme of God's grace. What God gives comes from His goodness not from what we deserve. Some workers were hired early in the morning to go work in the vineyard. It was agreed that they would receive a penny for their work.

However, we are more like workers that stood idle all day. They waited through the day and finally were hired at the last hour. We are like them in that they did not earn what they received but received it because the man who hired them was good. "Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?" (Matthew 20:15) In the parable the householder is God. The vineyard is the church and the undeserving laborers are Christians. We do not deserve anything but by God's grace we are saved.

When the last ones hired received a penny those hired first thought they should have received more. How dare anyone try to tell God Almighty what to do with what is rightfully His in the first place. The order was the last shall be first and the first shall be last, many are called but few are chosen. The workers complained but they should have praised the Master for His generosity. We were called from the market place of the world's idleness into work in the Lord's vineyard. Do not put off obeying God until your lose your reward.

God, in His goodness, allowed the Jews to be first called into His kingdom. He likewise allowed the Gentiles to be called last. Now He also gives us what we do not deserve nor can we earn salvation by His grace. But His message is still the same. "Why are you standing here idle all day?" "...Go into the vineyard..." But remember, "many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 20:16)