Matthew 20:1-16 Careful How We Understand This

It's certainly important to have a good understanding of what was really going on in this parable.  Peter's previous question, "We have forsaken all, and followed You; what then shall we have?", led to the possibility of a wrong motive for service, my commentary said, and Jesus told the next parable as a result.

My commentary began by stating outright that "the parable has nothing to do with salvation ... nobody works for his salvation.  Nor is the parable talking about rewards, for we are not all going to receive the same reward ... The parable is emphasizing a right attitude in service ... there were actually two kinds of laborers in the parable -- those who wanted a contract and agreed to work for a fixed amount, and those who had no contract and agreed to take whatever the owner thought was fair."

Those who had the contract were paid last, and they watched as the generosity of the master played out, only tof ind that they got only what they agreed to  -- because they did not trust the goodness of the owner!  Had they, they would have received far more.  

"The lesson for Christ's disciples ... We should not serve Him because we want to receive an expected reward, and we should not insist on knowing what we will get.  God is infinitely generous and gracious and will always give us better than we deserve ... We must trust Him unreservedly and believe that He will always give what is best."  Finally, it said, "Beware of the danger of watching other workers and measuring yourself by them... We see the worker and the work, but God sees the heart ... We must beware of criticizing God and feeling that we have been left out."

Father, keep my eyes on You and not on others.  I know that I can trust You to give me more than I could ever imagine.  Never let me doubt that!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford