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Parable of The Workers In The Vineyard
Brian Mashburn
April 6, 2014
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Our Unfair God
Disciple: Master, I have served you all of my life. What will I receive?
Master: To have had life with me as your master is reward enough, is it not? However, because you have acknowledged me, I will acknowledge you for an eternity that you cannot even imagine.
Disciple: Thank you, master! I have indeed enjoyed my life with you, and look forward to eternity.
Master: I have more for you. Meet your fellow servant who joined us only yesterday, and will also have untold eternal riches. You are brothers.
Disciple: I know this man, master. He has caused unheard of damage to people, and to your movement, and even to me and my family. Yet I am required to call him brother? Am I to rejoice that such a man as he will have the same reward as I, when I have been faithful my entire life? Am I not worthy of more than he for my extended service? Is this not unfair?
Master: Will you move so quickly from gratitude for your life of serving me to envy for your fellow servant? Make up your mind! Is life with me as your master a reward, or a merit system?
Disciple: Forgive me, master. I only know how to react this way to such inequity and unfairness.
Master: If you knew the ways of the Kingdom, as you claim, you would know that for me to give you a life as my servant, and life eternal, is not fairness. God's grace is generosity and he gives it to whom He wills.