Take for example the story of the workers in the vineyard. Matthew chapter 20 lays out for us a parable about the way the Kingdom of Heaven operates. Jesus describes a situation where the landowner goes out and hires some workers to tend to his field. When evening came and it was time to get paid, the laborers noticed that the landowner was being a bit too generous. It seems that those who were hired later (thus working less hours) were getting paid the same amount as those who had toiled all day.
Matthew 20:11 says, "When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 'These who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'"
What we have here, is a situation where a good deal of jealousy is bubbling to the surface. I understand their complaint. Imagine if you and a co-worker both picked up your paychecks on a Friday afternoon, and you noticed that both of you received the exact same amount of money. No big deal, except for the fact that your company pays hourly, and your friend had come in late all week. You were on time every morning. See the problem?
What factors in when we think about the human sense of fairness? We see what one person might receive, and then we compare that with what we have. If everything lines up with our own opinion, biases, and prejudice - then we have an accord. But if something is off a bit, there is trouble! In fact, it often seems that we sprinkle our experiences not only with jealously, but a bit of self-righteousness to boot. We want what they have, and we want it on our terms. Then sometimes, even if we get it, we are still offended because we think that 'it should have been that way in the first place.' You understand how silly this must all seem to God. Just more grumbling.
Scripture says that God gives freely as He sees fit. Romans 9:15 tells us, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
This doesn't sit well with some people, and from time to time, someone complains directly to God. It usually doesn't end well for that person (remember what happened when Job questioned God)? Job 38:4 recounts that God says, "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!"
God reminds us in this passage that He is sovereign. God alone makes the final call regarding who gets paid what. After all, it's His vineyard.
But why do we still get so jealous sometimes about spiritual things like this? I have always found the story about the thief on the cross to be of great comfort. Luke 23 says that Jesus was crucified next to two other people. One criminal yells insults at him, and lashes out against God. The other thief, however, sees the error of his ways and asks Jesus to forgive him. Jesus accommodates, and tells him that 'today you will be with me in paradise.'
People often have one of two reactions to this story. If we are lucky, we view this historical account as comforting. We understand that God forgives anyone if they repent and accept him; even the hardened criminal. But the second group becomes jealous. They don't understand how God could forgive someone who offered up a deathbed conversion, while they have worked tirelessly trying to be a good Christian their whole life. It doesn't seem fair. The landowner just paid the other worker the same amount of money for tending his vineyard.
This is a very human response. It is mixed with a bit of hypocrisy here, and a dash of pride there. Nothing good will come of this way of looking at God's grace. And quite honestly, it is typically symptomatic of someone who never understood grace in the first place. They have been trying to earn their way to heaven for years. These folks don't like people who get a free ride ... not even a little bit.
Sometimes we need reminding that the Lord's grace is sufficient, don't we? That it is better not to spend time critiquing what God did for someone else, but instead focus on that fact that He has done anything at all for anyone. God certainly doesn't owe people anything. There is nothing we can build, create, or do that God needs. He doesn't need our money, but He does ask that we give a portion back to the church. He doesn't need our worship or adoration, but He does long for it because He loves us and wants us. Trust me, we have no room to judge what a Holy God should or shouldn't do.
What is left to do then? I think, we can simply be content with the truth of the resurrection of Jesus. We can focus our energy on the fact that God sent His son to die in our place, and let that be enough. Let that fact comfort us and be sufficient. Stop worrying so much about the other workers in the vineyard, and just be grateful to get a paycheck at the end of the day.
After all, if we are taking the theology of original sin seriously, then you and I are much more like the thief on the cross than we would like to admit. I will take what God gives me, and I will be happy to be part of His vineyard, in any way that I can.
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