Kingdom of Generosity

Matthew 20:1-16 (NRSV)

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And 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?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘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.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

How you read this text certainly depends on where you are in your life, doesn't it?

Or what you have in your life.

Who is it you identify with in the text?

The first laborers? Certainly I know many hard workers who I admit I believe deserve to be well compensated for what they do. Maybe you are one of them.

Or the laborers who come at the last hour and are amazed at the bounty that is given - more than expected.

Or maybe the vineyard owner who shares what he has lavishly.

Perhaps at different times you've identified with all three.

Whomever it is, nevertheless, it is true that this isn't generally how the world we know plays out. We are told to work hard for what you get, and that people should get their fair share or what they deserve.

But in God's kingdom, no one gets what they deserve.

Instead we get more.

Instead we get all.

Each one of us. 

No matter how hard we work. No matter how much we go to church or don't. No matter how much we pray or read the Bible...

Our vineyard owner's generosity overflows.

Lord of lavish love, teach me to be generous with my love. Amen