The Workers in the Vineyard
The Last Shall Be First
Matthew 20:1-16about 2 minutes to read aloud
"The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner," Jesus said, "who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed on one denarius for the day and sent them in."
"At nine o'clock, and at noon, and at three, he went out again. Each time he found people standing idle. 'Go to my vineyard too. I will pay what is right.'"
"At five o'clock, one hour before evening, he found still others standing. 'Why have you been idle all day?' 'No one has hired us.' 'Go into the vineyard.'"
"When evening came, the owner paid them all. First, those hired at five. Each received one denarius. The ones hired first saw this and expected more. But they also received one denarius."
"They grumbled. But the owner answered, 'Friend, I have not cheated you. You agreed on a denarius. Take what is yours. Are you jealous because I am generous?'"
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last," Jesus said. The Lord's grace is larger than our sense of what is fair, and that is a mercy for all of us.
Questions to talk about
How many times did the landowner hire workers?
Show the answer
He hired workers at dawn, at nine, at noon, at three, and at five.
How much did each worker receive?
Show the answer
The owner paid each worker one denarius, no matter the hour they began.
What does the parable teach about God?
Show the answer
The last will be first, and the first last. God's kindness is not ours to measure.
The lesson
God's kindness is not ours to measure. It is ours to receive with thanks.
