The Workers Who Came Last

Jesus told a story about a vineyard owner who needed workers.

Early in the morning he went to find them. He agreed to pay one coin for a day's work, and they went into the vineyard.

Later he found others who still had no work. He sent them to his vineyard too.

The owner kept inviting workers throughout the day.

Even near the end he found people waiting. No one had hired them. He gave them work.

When evening came, he told his manager to pay them, starting with those who came last.

Each received one coin.

The first workers thought they would receive more. But they also received the coin they had agreed on.

The manager handed coins to the workers.

Some complained. They had worked longer in the day's heat.

The owner reminded one that he had kept their agreement. Nothing had been taken from him.

He also wanted to be generous to the last workers.

“I want to be kind to them too. Can we rejoice together?”

Jesus taught that God's kindness is not a prize we can demand because we think we are better.

We can rejoice when someone gets an opportunity, even if they came after us.

A new child in a game does not have to wait to be treated kindly. We can congratulate someone learning something new.

Another person's joy does not take away God's love for us.

The owner paid what he promised and was generous too. We can be thankful and share others' joy.

Jesus tells us a story, and his love stays with us.