Forget Being Generous, They Didn't Earn It!
Among the many parables that Jesus told to upset all of us who tend to act human, the one about the workers and their pay ranks almost up there with the Prodigal Son for upsetting reactions. If you work from sun-up to sun-down you certainly deserve more pay than those lazy ones who didn't get out in the field until a hour before the end of the day whistle goes off.

'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.'

Neither union nor management would want to put up with that. Management would want to save money; union would want to be fair. That's the way it's supposed to be, of course. You earn your pay. None of this freebie stuff and handouts, etc.

But the owner has other thoughts. He wants the work done and is willing to pay. Who says he has to be fair when grace is so much better.

'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?'

As a matter of fact, yes, we do begrudge you your generosity. It isn't fair to me- and that's all that counts. Especially since we see ourselves as the all-day workers. We would never consider ourselves the late-comers. We've always been here. We've always been faithful. We'ver been hard workers in that vineyard.

Hmmm. Now it is beginning to sound like the Prodigal Son. Why can't we be gracious? Why can't we accept the grace given to others? Because we are unwilling to be gracious?

Because deep down we have trouble accepting unmerited favor- grace!