September 18, 2005

Mindekirken, September 18, 2005
Pastor Jens Arne Dale

Wages as deserved? Matt 20.1-16

I grew up in a culture dominated by total abstentions. The question if Christians might enjoy alcohol was quite often debated. Many had objections to alcohol to the extent that they almost despised people who had a glass of wine with their dinner. Thinking of that, it’s interesting to note that Jesus selected an illustration from the production of wine to illustrate the kingdom of God.

We are presented with seasonal laborers standing idle at the marketplace, waiting to be hired. The vineyards surrounding the village were full of ripe grapes. Who would harvest them?

In the OT the vineyard is an image of the house of Israel (Isaia 5). In Christian language to work in the vineyard means to serve in the church, God’s congregation on earth. Mindekirken is a department of the Lord’s vineyard. We who are here today account for some of the eager hands harvesting ripe grapes.

Some have practical tasks, mopping the floors, repairing the hot water heater, folding church newsletters and preparing rømmegrøt. Others comfort the sick, read the Bible texts, sing in the choir or preach the word of God. Some have the responsibility to lead and organize, everyone has something to give; time, talent and treasure. Mindekirken is a fellowship where many good things happen because God has called us to serve. We are the laborers in the Lord’s vineyard.

How does it feel to be a laborer in the Lord’s vineyard, department Mindekirken? It depends, I believe, on who we are and the circumstances of our work. Today I would like to praise and encourage all of you who faithfully serve in different capacities. Sometimes we get tired, one might be overwhelmed by all that needs to be done. Sometimes we experience disappointments and conflicts. Maybe we need to hear Paul’s words which he wrote to his young friend Timothy when he lost his courage:

For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. 1 Tim 1.6-7.

Somewhere else Paul wrote: Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Cor 15.58.

The parable of the laborers in the vineyard talks about new people who were called to service. Maybe you are one of those who are standing, waiting to be hired. In the parable there was a constant stream of new workers coming. Next Sunday we’ll have a new member presentation here at Mindekirken. It’s wonderful to see how new laborers join in, how members get active and how the work develops.

To serve is a privilege, a joy, or to use a biblical expression: grace. We are called to serve as part of God’s great plan of salvation for the world. We have been called to be the body of Christ in this world. We have been trusted with the gospel that can set people free form sin and guilt. We have been called to show God’s love in this world, serve others and love all. You received without payment; give without payment. Matt 10.8.

After these optimistic remarks one might have expected that the parable of the laborers in the vineyard would conclude telling about happy laborers who were tremendously satisfied by working in the Lord’s vineyard. But it doesn’t end in that way. Quite the opposite. In the parable we meet disappointments, complaints, bitterness and riot. What happened?

The laborers would receive payment for sure. And strictly seen, this parable is not about serving, but how God pays. At the end of the day a long line of workers waited to receive their wages. And those who had been hired last got one denari. Those further back in the line thought it was promising. Since they had worked longer, they expected more payment.

But that was not the case. Everyone got the same daily wages, regardless of having worked one or ten hours. Those who had borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat thought it was a shame, and started complaining about the landowner. And honestly speaking, this doesn’t comply with our sense of justice. Is this a way to pay people? Could these principles of payment apply to real life?

Before I convey a clear no, we have to admit that we do find a principle here that we use in our society. The laborers at the marketplace were not idle due to laziness, they suffer want. They were more than willing to work, but had not been hired.

Work is a benefit. The number one job would be to create workplaces, a politician might say. Work would be one of the most important things for the victims of hurricane Katrina, for instance. It is a matter of dignity, self respect and welfare.

When the last in line got one denari each, they received normal daily wages. To the workers who were hired at nine o’clock it was clearly said that I will pay you whatever is right. In Greek it would be according to justice. And in the dispute with the grumbling laborers it’s said: I am doing you no wrong.

We find a concept of righteousness that includes mercy. It doesn’t only consider what you perform, but also what you need. Justice includes solidarity, a kind of equal treatment, care and goodness for the weak and needy ones.

This ties in well with other Bible texts. The prophets of the OT spoke out against employers who paid too little and exploited the workers. The NT also contains social explosives: Listen! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. James 5.4

In other words, the Bible says that the worker is worth his wages. And more than that: If someone can’t perform to the maximum, due to unemployment, disability or simply retirement: Justice means that everyone would get what he or she need.

Having said this, I have to warn you not to negotiate wages based on the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. Jesus never intended his message in this parable to be interpreted in terms of social politics. It’s all about who God pays. And I’m pretty sure that Jesus wanted us to know that God pays in a different way than men.

When we all get equal payment it’s because payment in the kingdom of God is based on God’s grace. None of us has deserved the payment we get, because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Rom 3.23-24.

God is generous. The criminal on the cross said a simple prayer in his last hour. He was rewarded with paradise. Others labor for a whole life in the vineyard of the Lord. Even so, the wages is pure grace. God’s love is far more than we ever have deserved. To serve him is also a grace.

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716