The Parable of the Laborers (Matt. 20:1-16) provides a much-needed reminder that God’s grace does not conform to human ideas of fairness. Those who labored longer in the vineyard had no right to complain of receiving the same reward as those who worked a fraction of the time; their grumbling was offensive to the gracious Owner who “wished to give” as He pleased (v. 14). Their prideful assumptions about their due were an affront to His authority and desire to be generous (v. 15).
We’re already in trouble when we compare our labor for the Lord to the work of others. It's a constant temptation--to measure ourselves against our brethren, judging who is ahead or behind in terms of honor (Mk. 934). This mindset is not only flawed but sinful—rooted in pride, envy, and an ungodly sense of entitlement (v. 15). It not only robs us of joy in this life (as we wallow in bitterness about others’ blessings) but, worse still, it will keep us from Heaven.
If I am embittered by God’s generosity toward others, it reveals how I truly view my own labor in the Kingdom—as a transaction. “So much work…so much reward.” As long as I think this way, I cannot be pleasing to God because my “service” does not spring from reverence and gratitude. It’s not wrong to look forward to the reward (v. 2)—that’s not the problem. The real issue is my prideful assumption that I have the wisdom and authority to dictate who deserves more and who deserves less (vv. 10-12).
God smiles upon humble, trusting obedience to His Word and delights to bring any and all into fellowship who gratefully submit to Him (Ps. 51:17). Be glad your reward is not dependent on the duration of your service, nor how your work stacks up against your brother’s. The fact that the reward is based on God's gracious promise should humble us and instill gratitude (Ti. 1:2; Gal. 3:18, 22). This is the lesson of the parable.
Yet, as you read it, another question may come to mind: if Jesus is teaching that God’s rewards are based on grace rather than merit, how do we reconcile this with other passages—such as the Parable of the Minas—wherein rewards are given in proportion to faithfulness and effort? In one instance rewards are equal regardless of duration but, in the other, the rewards differ. If thinking, "so much work...so much reward" was wrong-headed in Matthew 20, then wouldn’t it be just as wrong in other applications
First, we must understand the Parable of the Laborers was never meant to address the issue of differing rewards—it was meant to correct wrong assumptions about salvation. The early workers didn't simply want more reward; they were offended that others received the same. They resented God’s mercy and grace, forgetting they could’ve easily been left to stand idly all day. By their complaints, they effectively declared that standing idly until the eleventh hour would be better than bearing “the heat of the day.” What mature Christian would say, “We should have stayed in sin longer!”? The early workers failed to realize the Master had been gracious to them as well. So don’t read this parable as if it were describing both salvation and rewards for stewardship simultaneously. It is NOT intended to illustrate both. Its purpose is narrower—to make us see God's grace is not subject to human judgements or expectations.
The Parable of the Minas (Lk. 19:1-26) serves another purpose—to teach us an appropriate response to the Master’s generosity, namely, stewardship. He entrusts us with His gifts, and we are to be good stewards of them. Yes, the reward scales with the faithfulness of each steward—“‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities” (Lk. 19:17); however, the rewards are still left entirely to the Master’s discretion irrespective of the servants’ expectations—"Master, he has ten already!" (Lk. 19:24-26).
If I feel sympathetic to the early workers' complaints or the servants’ protest over another receiving an extra mina, this betrays my own failure to appreciate God’s mercy and trust His wisdom.
Second, none of this means we shouldn't look forward to our heavenly home and reward. “Many who are last shall be first, and the first, last” reminds us that human assumptions often conflict with God’s grace, but Jesus isn’t saying, "Temper your expectations, because who knows what’ll happen.” He doesn’t want us to disregard rewards. Scripture points us to Heaven repeatedly to motivate us, assure us, and give us joy (Matt. 5:12; Lk. 6:23, 35; 1 Cor. 3:14; 9:18). God wills that we look forward to our heavenly home--"set our minds" and "fix our hope" on it (Col. 3:2; 1 Pet. 1:13):
He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).
From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day…” (2 Tim. 4:7-8).
My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work (Rev. 22:12).
Salvation is equal; rewards differ, but how do I keep from having the wrong-attitude about the rewards? By remembering who the rewards come from, why they are given, and what they reveal.
Remember the Giver, not just the gift. Every reward is from the hand of a gracious Master, not a wage from a cold employer: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (Jas. 1:17).The moment I start thinking God “owes” me for my service, I’ve lost sight of grace. Think on Jesus words: “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done’” (Lk. 17:10).
Focus on faithfulness, not comparison. God isn’t grading us on a curve. My calling is to be faithful with what He’s given me, NOT to outperform someone else. When I begin to compare my efforts, results, or roles to others, envy or pride creeps in—both are fatal to joy and to your soul (2 Cor. 10:12). Stop judging prematurely—only God sees the full picture, and He will commend rightly (1 Cor. 4:4-5).
Trust the Master’s judgment. The Parable of the Laborers reminds me that God will do “whatever is right” (Matt. 20:4). I don’t need to police what others receive, and certainly shouldn’t resent the gift, the recipient, or the Giver. I can trust that the Lord of the vineyard knows exactly what He's doing. “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and just is He” (Deut. 32:4). We can trust His decisions because His character is incorruptible.
Serve with joy and gratitude. We don’t serve God wondering if the reward will come. We serve knowing the reward is promised, kept, and guaranteed by the One who cannot lie. “For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints” (Heb. 6:10). Even when no one else notices, God sees. He remembers. He honors even the smallest acts of love and service. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Col. 3:23-24). This is our daily motivation: not applause, not attention, but Christ Himself—the One who watches, remembers, and rewards. God doesn't promise rewards to make us greedy—He promises them to make us grateful, joyful, and steadfast.
So keep going. Keep serving. Keep trusting.
“My reward is with Me…” (Rev. 22:12)
And it will be more than worth it.
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