Scribd
Upload
101 views9 pages

L14 The Parable of The Laborers in The Vineyard

The parable is about a landowner who hires workers throughout the day for his vineyard. At the end of the day, he pays all workers the same wage regardless of how long they worked. This upsets those who worked longer. The parable teaches that God rewards graciously and that those who seem least in the kingdom may be greatest in heaven.

Uploaded by

Mike daryll Nakigo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
101 views9 pages

L14 The Parable of The Laborers in The Vineyard

The parable is about a landowner who hires workers throughout the day for his vineyard. At the end of the day, he pays all workers the same wage regardless of how long they worked. This upsets those who worked longer. The parable teaches that God rewards graciously and that those who seem least in the kingdom may be greatest in heaven.

Uploaded by

Mike daryll Nakigo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

Lesson 12:

The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard


The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard:
The Background Matt. 20:1-16
• The rich young ruler had just come to Jesus
to find eternal life, but due to his
unwillingness to sacrifice all he had in order
to follow Jesus, he went away sorrowfully
(19:16-27).
• Peter was somewhat boastful in claiming,
“We have left all,” and so he asked, “What
then shall we have?” (19:25-27).
• Jesus promised great blessings but cautions,
“But many who are first will be last, and the
last first” (19:30).
• This story and this final statement are
obvious reasons for Jesus telling this parable
(cf. 20:8, 16).
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard:
The Narrative Matt. 20:1-16

• “For the kingdom of heaven is like a


landowner who went out early in the
morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.”
– God seeks to bring man back to Him (Isa. 65:2),
although man is not always seeking Him (Eph. 2)
– The kingdom is a place for laborers (cf. Gal. 5:4;
Eph. 2:10; Phil. 2:12; 1 Tim. 2:10; Heb. 10:24).
It is not a retirement community.
– Labor is rewarded only if performed within the
Lord’s vineyard. All other is for nothing.
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard:
The Narrative Matt. 20:1-16

• The laborers were employed at various hours


of the day.
– Different hours represent conversions at varying
periods of life
– Workers promised to be given whatever is right
– Activity performed outside of the vineyard is
viewed by God as “idle” (v. 3, 6).
– Jesus is not advocating delaying obedience. All
workers accepted labor as soon as it was
offered. Eleventh hour workers entered the
vineyard at the first opportunity they had.
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard:
The Narrative Matt. 20:1-16

• All of the laborers were paid the same—a


denarius/shilling.
– This represents eternal life.
– But there is no suggestion that we “earn” a right
to heaven (cf. Rom. 6:23).
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard:
The Narrative Matt. 20:1-16

• The landowner rewarded the laborers/


workers consistent with his will, in spite of
the murmuring of others.
– The sovereignty of God is emphasized—no one
has the right to judge what the Almighty does.
• What everyone receives will be more than “fair” –
“Did you not agree with me?”
• No one has the right to question the “generosity” of
the Lord – “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish
with my own things?”
• Workers should not be “envious” if others receive the
same reward— “Is your eye evil b/c I am good?”
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard:
The Narrative Matt. 20:1-16

• The landowner rewarded the laborers/


workers consistent with his will, in spite of
the murmuring of others.
– Some workers work for pay; to them work is a
duty. Other workers work without thinking of
the pay, depending solely on the generosity of
the owner to do what is right, trusting Him.
– Though some may personally labor well, their
disposition toward others may need improvement.
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard:
The Narrative Matt. 20:1-16

• The last shall be first, and the first last.


– Many who are now considered “pillars in the
church” will be last, and many who are/were the
least in the kingdom and went mostly unnoticed
shall be first on the day of judgment (cf. Mark
12:43-44; Matt. 26:10-13).
– The disciples, who were constantly quarreling
about rank (cf. Matt. 18:1; 20:20; Luke 22:24),
should have taken note.
The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard:
Lessons/Truths Matt. 20:1-16
• God is compassionate and seeks sinners.
• The Lord is generous in that He rewards those who
serve Him, even though their opportunity for service
may have been limited. There is work for everyone.
• The day of judgment will be a great leveler, because
the Lord does not see as man sees (cf. 1 Sam. 16:7).
There will be some surprises.
• We must avoid a disposition which attempts to
bargain with God for what He’ll give us.
• One should not serve the Lord with a commercial or
mercenary spirit – “what I get out of it.”
• We ought not to compare ourselves with others (cf.
2 Cor. 10:12).
• It is service, not seniority, that counts with God.
• God is gracious & merciful beyond what we deserve.

You might also like