A Meditation for Trinity 16
Collect
Matthew 20: 1-16 – The Great Commission
20‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. 2After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage,* he sent them into his vineyard. 3When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; 4and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. 5When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” 7They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” 8When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” 9When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.* 10Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage.* 11And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” 13But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?* 14Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?”* 16So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’
Reflection
But it’s not Fair!
It looks like any of the workers in the vineyard (other than the very last cohort) were not too worried about exactly how much everyone else received provided they each got more than the next person – a typically human trait. They complained that the example Jesus used was ‘Unfair’.
So what is Fair, then? Depends what you want to mean by it.
The early workers certainly don’t think it’s fair that the latecomers should receive an equal amount as they did irrespective of either time or output.
Is it not ‘fairer’ that the workers should be paid according to the hours of work they have put in, at an agreed hourly rate?
Or would it be fairer if they were paid by measuring the quality or quantity of the grapes they have harvested?
Perhaps a fair level of reward should be adjusted proportionally to take into account the size of their dependent families.
Is fairness actually about equality?
I have to confess that until it was brought to my notice that for a long time, I had used that word ‘Equality’ in prayers, presentations and sermons – wrongly. The word ‘equity’ would be better. Rather than try to explain using words, I came across this cartoon – look closely – which makes the difference clear (a picture is worth a thousand words?).
image courtesty of Sketchplanations
Jesus is talking about equity; suggesting through the story that each will receive what they need – no less no more – actually there is no more than the gift He offers. Some have led almost blameless lives – some have fallen far from the path of righteousness – but all have sinned, and all need the salvation that only comes through Jesus.
Salvation.
It can’t be earned. No-one can get more than the next person. There are no degrees of salvation. Salvation is personal and unique to each human being. It is the complete gift – all you can ever need.
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