Sunday 24 September 2023

Psalm 145:1-8

Background

The chapter divisions were not there in what Matthew wrote, and this parable follows naturally from the last verse of chapter 19, “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first”, words which are repeated at the end of today’s passage, albeit with the two clauses reversed. This principle is not however the main emphasis of the parable which is about equal pay for unequal work, but it does apply to the change in order of the hiring and the dismissal of the workers. 'First' and 'last' are equivalent to the ranks of 'great' and 'least' in the kingdom of heaven, which are words Jesus uses in Matthew 5:19. The final verses of Chapter 19 concern disciples giving up significant things for the sake of God’s kingdom, and in some senses the landowner in this parable can be said to do this in his generosity to those who did least work.

Vineyards and workers hired for the day were common features of first-century life in Galilee; the town square or 'marketplace' was where those looking for work would hang out hopefully. As with fruit-growing today, extra casual workers were needed at harvest time, and it was normal for fit people to work for 12 hours from shortly after sunrise until sunset. The urgency of getting the grapes harvested at the optimal time would account for the landowner himself going to the marketplace rather than sending one of his full-time workers, and he would do it several times during the day to secure as many person-hours of work as possible. There is no reason to suppose those employed late in the day had been lazy; they may for example have been harvesting their own small fields and then had time left over.

Labourers worked for a fixed daily wage of one denarius, and those who began at daybreak agreed to that normal arrangement; those hired later agreed to work for 'whatever is right' and would no doubt have expected a pro rata wage. But they all received the full daily wage, causing those who’d worked longer to complain, and the landowner to suggest – in a kindly way for he addresses the chief complainer as 'Friend' – that they are mistaking generosity for injustice. 

To Ponder:

• Should people be paid for the work they do or to meet the needs they have?
• Can we do what we like with our own money (v.15), or what principles should guide us?
• In what instances might we find ourselves tempted to be envious because somebody displays mercy or generosity? 

Prayer

Father, we pray for those whose work is inadequately remunerated compared to other employees, and for employers to have opportunities to ensure fair terms and practices apply to all their workforce. Amen.