In Jesus’ startling story, some workers agreed to work all day for a denarion, a typical day’s wage. Others joined in at various points during the day, including some who started just an hour before quitting time. The master paid them a denarion, which led the all-day workers to grumble. (We may identify with those all-day workers—this may not feel “fair.”) Then Jesus said that the master (God) asked pointedly, “Are you resentful because I’m generous?”

• So DOES the master’s way of paying the workers in this story feel unfair to you? “It was not unfair, of course. No one was underpaid; it was just that some received ‘unreasonable’ generosity. That is what the kingdom of heaven is like.” (New Bible Commentary) In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul said Christ was treated as we deserved so that we would be treated as he deserved. In what ways does that “unfair” exchange draw your heart toward Christ?
• Salvation, eternal life with God, is a greater gift than we could possibly earn. Yet sometimes are we tempted to think “service time” should give us extra privileges, or rank us above “newbies” (cf. Luke 15:25-32). How long have you served God? Do you generously accept newcomers to God’s Kingdom as Jesus did (cf. Luke 23:32-33, 39-43)?