Matthew 20:1-16 – In The Parable of Laborers in the Vineyard, Jesus confronted an entitled religious mentality that thought those who had been around longer deserved more. We must never move past the reality that God doesn’t owe us anything.
Context
- A wealthy young man had just questioned Jesus about what he could do to inherit eternal life (19:16).
- Jesus warned how pursuing riches could distract us from spiritual matters (19:21-24).
- Peter wondered what rewards were coming their way since they abandoned comforts to follow Christ (19:27).
Content
- A man hired workers and agreed to pay them one denarius for a day’s work (20:1-2).
- As the day continued, he hired additional workers and started them immediately (20:3-7).
- The earlier workers were frustrated that everyone was paid the same due to a lack of perceived fairness (20:8-12).
- The boss kept his promise and maintained his right to do whatever he desired (20:13-16).
Concept
- The longer we follow Jesus, the more entitled we are tempted to become.
- Only those who have gotten over their salvation would begrudge God’s mercy to another.
- No matter how much time you have already wasted, God’s invitation is still graciously available.
- God doesn’t require our permission to accomplish what He desires.
- God doesn’t owe us anything, yet He has already given us everything.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
