The Unfairness of God

That’s not fair!

How many of you have heard that in your homes?

When the younger sibling got a phone at an earlier age than the older sibling

When one sibling has to clean up, he/she compares how much they have to do compared to the other sibling.

How about in the workplace?

How come they got that promotion and I didn’t? I’ve been working here longer than the other. I’ve worked harder. I’ve been more productive.

Why didn’t I get the credit for the work I actually did?

In church?

How come I didn’t get chosen to do that?

Why do other people get so much attention?

Why do I get stuck with all this work? Why don’t more people help?

This parable talks to us about a group of people who thought they weren’t being treated fairly. Parables are stories meant to convey a particular message. Not every aspect can be taken literally, but the message should be clear for a certain situation or issue.

Matthew 20:1–16 ESV

1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘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.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.”

The Kingdom of Heaven is like...

Jesus is about to describe, once again, from a different angle, how things operate in God’s the spiritual kingdom.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus referred to the kind of people that belong in the kingdom of heaven, like

The poor in spirit

Those persecuted for their faith

In talking to his disciples, Jesus said he had given them knowledge regarding the kingdom of heaven. So the ways of the kingdom of heaven can be understood.

Here we are still learning the principles of God’s kingdom. It takes spiritual discernment, given to us by the Holy Spirit, helping us have spiritual thinking and putting aside our carnal way of looking at things.

Just like in this parable, we are still trying to figure out how God does things. We will never fully figure God out. That’s what faith is about. Trusting and believing God even when things don’t make sense and when things in life seem to be so unfair.

The kingdom of heaven seems to be backward to the earthly mindset. Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven belongs to the children, while at the same time, Peter has been given the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

Background: Jesus is teaching and he addresses people of all ages. First the Pharisees are asking questions about marriage and divorce, then the disciples give their opinion on the topic on say maybe its better to not get married, then parents show up with their children for a blessing, the disciples jump in again to defend Jesus, then a young man comes to ask Jesus about eternal life.

The Pharisees think they come first because they are “closer to God.” Then the parents come in and think that their kids come first. The disciples jump in again and say Jesus is too busy, “he comes first.” A young man, who’s used to earning lots of money, thinks that he comes first because that’s how he’s gotten ahead in life. Then the disciples realize, well maybe we should come first, heck we’ve given it all up for you Jesus!

This is what has transpired before Jesus talks about this parable.

Jesus sees there’s some backward thinking going on and so he’s about to blow their mind with some gospel truth.

Matthew 19:30 “30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Matthew 19:30 NRSV

30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

Who wants to be last in life? Usually if you’re chosen last it’s because there’s no one else. If you’re chosen first that means that among many, you stood out.

But in God’s kingdom, those who are chosen last are treated as the first. They may not stand out in a crowd, but God looks at the heart, Just like King David, chosen last, but he was the one God had chosen.

Do you feel like you are one chosen later on. You wonder why you weren’t chosen first? Why circumstances weren’t difference that would set you up for a better life? Why someone else got ahead of me when I believe I deserve the same recognition or opportunity? Why, when growing up I why I was born into a certain family, or lived in a different city, why I went to a certain school. You may feel at a disadvantage, yet God looks at that and says, “With me, you are as if you were among the first and I’ve had my eye on you since you were a child, and I have seen your struggle, your upbringing, your disadvantage, your internal discontent with how things were.

Now use that, not as an excuse to live as if you’re still in the back of the line. Jesus said, I have put in the front of the line while others wondering you let you cut. Jesus, says “be a blessing to someone else since you’ve gone through some things.”

The ones who think they are entitled to be first are the ones who are in danger of not even being in line.

In this world, that’s unfair. In God’s kingdom, the order doesn’t matter, as long as you are chosen and you accept to work in God’s vineyard. In this race, it’s not who wins the race, its whoever crosses the finish line. AMEN?

The disciples were fighting about who would sit closest to Jesus in the kingdom of heaven, and Jesus rebuked them

Mark 9:33–37 NRSV

33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

Matthew 18:1–4 NRSV

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child, whom he put among them, 3 and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

He affirmed that in God’s kingdom, things are unconventional. Even childlike humility and dependence on God.

Jesus is inviting us to have this kingdom mindset. Its actually something we do for the rest of our lives, thus we don’t stay like children, but we maintain a childlike heart. Consistently adapting our mindset and actions from earthly principles to heavenly principles. Easier said than done, yet Jesus didn’t come to earth to give us ideals but examples to follow.

Kingdom Principles

1. The King is Generous

We start with God. He’s the landowner who has invited us to work in his vineyard. The parable refers to people Jesus calls to serve Him and represent Him in the world.

What do we get in return, what’s the pay, how many hours do I have to work? There are those who think of their relationship with God in terms of a transaction. I put in a certain number of hours, I volunteer so many days, I contribute so many dollars, etc.

God is generous with his grace. He gives us more than we deserve and we think we deserve more than he gives us, but the kingdom minded person, living in the Spirit is humble and acknowledges God’s graciousness.

To live within these kingdom principles may seem abnormal, but that’s because it is. Normal is overrated. Kingdom life isn’t ordinary. But the generous landowner still invites grumblers to work in his vineyard. Any grumblers here? We think that things don’t go the way we think they ought to.

Two Kinds of Grumblers

There are grumblers who like to complain,

and there are people who are just confused about God’s way.

In this parable, Jesus is generous with those who came last as much as those who have been with him for years and years. There are no degrees of salvation. You can’t get more than eternal life. The thief on the cross and those who had beside confessions before death will experience the same level of eternal life as anyone following Jesus their whole life.

Throughout the day, the landowner hires additional workers at different hours, including some who start working just an hour before the end of the day. Surprisingly, at the end of the day, the landowner pays all the workers, regardless of the hours they worked, the same amount of money (a denarius). This demonstrates God's generosity and grace as He extends His blessings to all, regardless of their perceived merit or the length of time they have served Him.

2. God's Equality and Fairness:

Nowadays, Much is said about equality and equity. Treating everyone fairly and equally in this world apparently are too different things.

Giving all people the same access to opportunities is not the same as being fair because some are more disadvantaged than others. That sounds like something we could all agree on. There’s a problem, though. When we humans attempt to administer justice, equality, equity, and fairness outside of the principles of God’s kingdom, we will never actualize equality, equity, or fairness. We will always fall short. Even when someone is convicted for loss of property or life, I don’t always get back what I lost.,

Someone will always feel slighted, left behind, and treated unequally because what is equitable for one may not be equitable for another.

So we make up more rules trying to address inequities while many times creating other inequities.

God gave us ten commandments; the further we get away from God, the more rules we have to make up.

So who can truly administer justice, equality, equity, and fairness? Those who live by the principles of God’s kingdom.

The one who worked longer and expended more sweat and energy didn’t think it was fair. The one who got paid for one hour of work didn’t think it was fair either, but he took it. The ones who worked fewer hours didn’t expect it or demand it. They accepted it as a blessing and with gratitude. The one who worked more expected more and was not grateful at the moment, but the landowner explained how things work in God’s kingdom.

In His eyes, all individuals are equal and deserving of His blessings, regardless of their background, status, or accomplishments.

3. The Reversal of Expectations

The harder you work, the more you deserve.

The more faithful you are, the more blessings you expect.

You’re probably fighting with these thoughts in your head right now, thinking, yeah, that’s how it should be. If not, what’s the point of faithfulness and serving God?

Don’t I expect something in return for my time, effort, and money?

The workers who started at 0600 had the security of work for the whole day. They had the assurance of one day’s wage at the end of the day. They worked hard, under the sun, but they weren’t worried about having enough food for the next day. I would think they were grateful to the landowner for giving them work and payment. They wouldn’t have complained or grumbled if they had been paid first and gone home right away. But when they complained, they demonstrated their human expectation of God. The apparent unfairness of God. They showed that working for the Lord really isn’t enough after all. Living with God’s blessing isn’t enough.

Those who got brought in later in the day had other expectations. I won’t get paid a full day, but I’m happy I’m able to work. I’m happy to be involved. I’m happy that even though I was late, I was able to participate in this harvest. I can go home and bring something back. They just expected to get paid “what is fair.”

Those who were hired at noon and 3:00 pm probably had lower expectations.

What about those hired one hour before the work finished? What did they expect? At least the dignity to go home and say they actually did something and have a few dollars to show for it.

Everyone has different expectations.

Some expect more, and some expect less.

In this world, we will always be disappointed or surprised by our expectations.

Expect God to be fair even when it doesn’t seem fair at all.

The only thing is that many times we don’t realize that until the end of the day when the work in God’s vineyard is done.

I still want to experience God’s fairness here and now… here we get a taste when we see fairness happen, when justice is served, but later on God will restore all things.

Who do you identify with in this story?

How does being last or first in God’s kingdom affect your current way of thinking?

What expectations have you had of God?

How have you created realistic and unrealistic expectations of God’s fairness?

Before closing, in order to authentically look at this, I would fail if I didn’t mention humility. When talking about fairness and in a way taking things at face value from God, it would seem like I am glossing over a number of grievances that we may have with God and we are mourning losses that will never seem fair or ever make sense.

I acknowledge that this morning… If there is anything I could say in response to that, which I should just probably say nothing, but I’ll say this, God probably agrees with you and says its not fair either. It’s not fair you’ve suffered. The human experience is complex and delicate and I pray God will make all things new and right again.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with grateful hearts, humbled by Your boundless grace and love. As we reflect on the parable from Matthew 20:1-16, we are reminded of the incomparable generosity that flows from Your compassionate heart.

Lord, just as the landowner went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard, You, too, seek us out, inviting us to partake in the labor of Your kingdom. We thank You for the privilege of serving You and for the blessings You have bestowed upon us.

Lord, we are reminded that Your grace knows no bounds, and You offer it freely to all who turn to You, regardless of their past or present circumstances.

Teach us, O Lord, to be content with the unique path You have set before us and to rejoice in the blessings and opportunities You have given us. Help us to celebrate the success of others without envy or comparison, knowing that Your plan for each of us is individually tailored, and Your love for us is immeasurable.

May we learn to extend the same grace and compassion to others as You have shown us, treating everyone with kindness and equality, just as You did with the workers in the vineyard. Help us to be instruments of Your love, shining Your light in a world that often lacks understanding and compassion.

There are those among us hungry and thirsty for righteousness and together with the Psalmist, cry out, “How long oh Lord, will you allow wickedness and suffering to continue?” Come Lord Jesus to your people and bring justice to the land.

Lord, for those who are still searching for Your truth and grace. There’s no day like today. We have encountered Your love. May we come to know You intimately, experiencing the transformational power of Your forgiveness and redemption.

As we depart from this moment of prayer, let the lessons from Matthew 20:1-16 be etched in our hearts, guiding our actions and attitudes in every aspect of our lives. May we be steadfast in our devotion to You, always ready to answer Your call and serve Your kingdom.

We offer this prayer in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who taught us to love one another without reservation.

Amen.

Benediction:

"May the grace of our just and loving God fill your hearts with a profound sense of His fairness. As you depart from this place, may you carry with you the assurance that our Heavenly Father is a God of equity and righteousness, showing no partiality and extending His love to all.

In your interactions with others, may you be guided by the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, who treated every person with compassion and respect, recognizing the inherent worth and dignity in each individual.

May you seek to embody fairness in your actions and decisions, championing justice and equality in a world that often cries out for it. Let your words be seasoned with kindness and understanding, and let your deeds be marked by fairness and empathy.

As you go forth into the week ahead, may the Spirit of God empower you to be agents of change, promoting fairness and working towards a more just society. May you be instruments of God's love, extending His fairness to those in need and standing up for the marginalized and oppressed.

And now, may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen."