Is God Unfair?
But be sure to fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24
The disciples were astonished when Jesus said it was “hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:23). Like most Jews of their era, the disciples believed riches were a sign of God’s favor. They also assumed Jesus would establish a kingdom on earth in which they’d enjoy positions of authority, privilege, and prosperity.
So when Jesus implied that riches may not be part of their future, Peter exclaimed, “We have left everything to follow You! What then will there be for us?” (Matthew 19:27).
Good ole Peter. He said things to Jesus we might want to say too: “Look at all I’ve done for You, Lord. When will I start reaping the benefits of all my efforts?”
Jesus answers Peter’s question with a parable about several groups of men who were hired to work in a landowner’s 
vineyard. The first group arrived early in the morning. According to Matthew 20:2, the landowner “agreed to pay them a denarius for the day.” The word agreed may suggest that the workers asked for that amount—a normal day’s wage—and the landowner agreed to pay it. As the day progressed, more workers came—at 9:00 a.m., noon, 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. The landowner hired them all without indicating a specific wage (Matthew 20:3-7).
At day’s end, all the workers received the same wage—a denarius. And that’s when the early morning crew cried, “It’s not fair!” Matthew records, “They expected to receive more … but when they received [the denarius], they began to grumble against the landowner” (v. 11).
The landowner responded, “I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. … Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?” (vv. 13-15).
Do you think Jesus’ words pierced Peter’s heart? Do they pierce yours? Oh, gracious God, teach us to serve You without reservation and without complaint in gratitude for all You’ve done for us.
DIG DEEPER:
Read Matthew 20:1-16. How would you answer the questions in Matthew 20:15? Why do you think Jesus ended the parable with the statement recorded in verse 16?
Read the story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-26, which precedes this parable. What kept him from obeying Jesus’ invitation to “Come, follow Me”? What keeps you from following Jesus without reservation?
Need a reminder of the blessings God has laid up for you in heaven? Read Matthew 19:29, Ephesians 1:3-11, and Revelation 21:3-7.
Denise K. Loock
This devotion is part of a series, The Parables.