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THE WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD
“For the
kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the
morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with
the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his
vineyard. When he went out at about 9 o’clock, he saw others
standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You also
go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So
they went. When he went out again about noon and about 3
o’clock, he did the same. And about 5 o’clock he went out and
found others standing around, and he said to them, ‘Why are you
standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one
has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’
When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his
manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning
with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired
about 5 o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily
wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive
more, but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And
when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner,
saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them
equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the
scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am
doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual
daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to
this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what
I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I
am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be
last.”
This parable reminds me of a time about 43
years ago when I was working construction. It was winter, with
snow on the ground. Another fellow and I were digging post holes
and setting pipe posts in cement. As I recall, we were repairing
a perimeter fence at the Dodge City sanitation department.
Out of the blue, this other fellow asked
what I got paid. Not using good judgment, I gave an honest
answer and then had the opportunity to listen to him rail about
why he thought he should earn as much as I did.
Sometimes we do not appreciate the good
things that God gives us. How many times have you heard someone
complain about their job? Or comment, “Not my job,” when asked
to do something different? We should appreciate what God has
given us. If the job is not a good fit for your skills and
aptitude, find one that is. I for one believe that God wants us
to be cheerful workers. Being a positive worker is an
opportunity to be a Christian witness.
Dear God, we pray for guidance as we
select a career in which to serve you and those around us.
Comfort us as we face day-to-day tribulations at work. Prepare
us for the joy of your love. Amen
Richard McDiffett
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