"Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius?" Matthew 20:13 NIV
In the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, the landowner goes out early in the morning to hire workers and agrees to pay them a denarius for their labour. Throughout the day, he hires more workers, some late in the day. At the end of the work day, he pays all the workers one denarius. The early hires complain. In Chapter 19 Jesus promises eternal life to those who follow him. In this parable, he is clarifying that no matter when a person comes to faith, the reward is the same - eternal life with God. Our essential purpose is to have a loving relationship with God and it doesn't matter if we are early or late coming to that relationship. It also reminds us that God's love is not finite. He can give all of us his love infinitely without diminishing the love to anyone. Jesus is also reminding us not to compare our spiritual life to one another. We each have a unique relationship with God.
Dear Lord, don't let me be like the older brother in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, jealous of the gracious favour of God towards others. Let me rejoice whenever someone comes to know you, early or late. Thank you Jesus for your individual care.
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