The Importance of Motive and Attitude
Matthew 20:1-16
We encounter numerous difficulties in hearing this parable
The apparently absolute foolishness of the landowner
Who gives a full day's pay to one who works 1 hour?
Why doesn't he value the hard work of the first hired?
What does this say about his sense of Justice?
Because the landowner in the parable obviously represents God anything we say about the landowner we are saying about God. This is troublesome to those who are working for a reward.
Who are these workers?
The first-hired are confident, self-assured and even proud.
The second, third and fourth groups also fit this category
Even in Jesus' day, some people and some work started later.
Why the same reward for everyone?
Everyone gets the same reward in the parable.
Only those hired at sunrise had a contract.
The next groups agreed to whatever is right.
The last-hired only came because they were invited.
In the kingdom of Heaven, motive and attitude bear on reward.
The last-hired expected nothing and received a full reward.
The first-hired bargained with the land-owner, received their reward and grumbled.
Peter's question, "Look, we have left everything and followed you, so what will there be for us?" is the true setting and background for this parable. Only as an answer for this question does the parable make sense.
We must relate to Christ in Love with generous giving and receiving. We give Him our all and receive Him in return.
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