Workers Paid Equally

Am I Envious that God is Generous?
Matthew 20:1-15

Seems like an odd question
But I've been thinking about this passage
And I'm convinced it is relevant

A Parable uses every day pictures to convey spiritual realities
- The landowner = Lord
- Hired men = God's covenant people
- Vineyard = The world
- Denarius (days wages) = The Promise
* This is a very typical 1st century scene (6am-6pm work day)

What do we learn from this parable?

1. God is on the move toward the lost (key word "went out")

Impressions from the parable
- God is on the move
- There's a sense of urgency
- He does not discriminate in his call

This truth in Scripture
- Abram (called to GO. Yes, he'll be blessed, but also BE a blessing to others)
- Egypt (God wanted THEM to know He was God too)
- Philistines (God wanted THEM to know He was God too (1 Sam. 5:1-4)
- Ninevites (God wanted THEM to know He was God too)
- Gentiles (God wanted all to know!)
* That's why we have parables like the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son

God Is On The Move!

2. The Found tend to develop bad attitudes
* These attitudes are revealed, in the parable, at 6pm (The end of the work day)

A. We forget that we were found (prolly b/c of time, it's natural)
B. We get prideful about our position (prolly b/c of our good works, it's natural)
C. We see God's targets as intrusions (prolly b/c of our comfort zones, it's natural)
* These are all natural human tendencies (don't you feel their frustration?).
** The Israelites in the OT, the disciples in the NT shared this syndrome
*** But we are called to live SUPER-natural lives

3. God wants to change our attitudes (the key is 8b)

A. We don't get a smaller piece of the pie just b/c more are included (13-14a)
B. We don't get to make the decision, God is the owner (14b-15a)
C. In this light, the question of 15b becomes more relevant to me
- This was Jonah's problem
- This was the problem for the Prodigals brother
- This was Peter's problem in the middle of Acts
- This is sometimes my problem
- Is this sometimes your problem?
- Is this sometimes our problem?

Are we angry that God is always on the move? Or will we join Him?