Christ’s Ambassador

In the parable of the laborers also called the parable of the vineyard workers, the reward system is not in accordance with standard labor laws found in the world. No worldly entrepreneur would design or accept such a reward system. Some laborers worked for twelve hours, some nine, and others six, three and one hour but they were all paid one denarii each according to their agreement with the vineyard owner. As though that was not irksome enough, those who worked the least were paid first and in that reverse order while the ones who labored for twelve hours were made to wait on their weary feet to be paid last. In the wisdom of the world, this could encourage laziness on the part of employees and is fraudulent on the part of the employers. It is the shortest route to a serious labor-Government impasse.

Service is a privilege

What was Jesus trying to say here? If we look closely at the parable again, I think He was trying to differentiate the reward system of the kingdom of God from the reward system of the world. Worldly wisdom is foolishness with God. Are we saying reward in the kingdom of heaven is not commensurate with labor? No. God rewards are for those who seek Him diligently. In the revelation given to John, the risen Christ himself said Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done (Rev 22:12) The implication of this is that in this parable, the actual reward was not the denarii. The actual reward was the privilege of serving in the Lord’s vineyard. It is a gift, token of love from a Father to a child. A good example is found in Num 18:7 where God told Aaron that; “only you and your sons may serve as priests in connection with everything at the altar and inside the curtain. I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift. Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.”

Right reason for service

No one can give anything back to God in payment for his life. The ransom sacrifice of Jesus was much more too precious than silver and gold. Serving the Lord then becomes a gift just as salvation itself is a gift received through our faith. And whoever is called by God to serve is equipped adequately for the service. We learn from this parable that same lesson that Paul was trying to teach when he warned Timothy to withdraw from those false teachers who said that godliness is a means of financial gain.  Clearly stated, we should not serve God because of the financial reward like Gehazi (2Kgs 5) but we should serve Him in appreciation of HIS unconditional love to us. We should see any call to service as a privilege to show our love for HIM and for humanity.

God’s generosity and compassion

Another lesson we can glean from the parable is that each laborer was recognized for their service within the scope of the level of opportunity given him to serve. Those who were hired in the eleventh hour had the privilege of working for only one hour and they enjoyed the employer’s generosity in getting one denarii. His compassion was on them and they were even paid first to compensate them for the boredom of idleness and rejection they endured all day before they got hired. God’s wisdom is unquestionable. Those who worked for longer periods were not the owner of their lives, God is. Their abilities were also God’s gifts. In our own case, we must desist from the practice of looking down on others especially those whose ministries are not giving them loud ovations.

Your service is unique

Everyone in the body of Christ is useful and unique in the ways God has called and gifted them. And each could only do what God calls and empowers them to do, no more. We are all branches of the same vine. Just as Joshua did what Moses could not do in leading the Israelites to Canaan, so Moses had done what Joshua could not have done in commencing the journey at Egypt. Each did what God called them to do. The Usher is no less important than the Worship leader, while the Pastor does not enjoy God’s attention more than the Children Ministry Teacher. If all serve God diligently in the capacity God has called them, they will be rewarded with everlasting life.