God’s Generosity

THE PARABLE OF THE LABORERS        Matthew 20:1-16

Jesus:                The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. He said to the early risers:
Owner:             You may go into the vineyard, and I will pay you the usual daily wage.
Right:               We will go!

Jesus: When the landowner went out at nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them:
Owner: You may also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.
Left: We will go!

Jesus: When he went out again at noon and at three o’clock, he did the same, saying:
Owner: You may also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.
Balcony: We will go!

Jesus: At five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them:
Owner: Why are you standing here idle all day?
Chancel: Because no one has hired us.
Owner: You may also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.
Chancel: We will go!

Jesus: When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager:
Owner: Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.
Jesus: When those hired at five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.
Chancel: Thank you!
Jesus: When those hired at noon and three came, each of them received the usual daily wage.
Balcony: Thank you!
Jesus: When those hired at nine o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.
Left: Thank you!

Jesus: When those hired first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying:
Right: These last worked only one hour, and yet you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat!

Jesus: The landowner replied:
Owner: Friends, did you not agree to work for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to the last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’
Jesus: So, as it is in the Kingdom of Heaven, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”