2. The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard
Matthew 20:1-16

3. Introduction In “The Unmerciful Servant” In this parable
No unforgiving person has a place in the kingdom
In this parable
Another attitude which will not be in the kingdom is revealed

4. The Setting Matthew 19:16-22 Matthew 19:23-26
Jesus’ conversation with the rich young ruler
Jesus’ challenge is for the young man to give up all
The man went away sorrowful
Matthew 19:23-26
Jesus then teaches his disciples how difficult it is for the rich to enter the kingdom
The disciples wonder who can be saved
Jesus says, “with God all things are possible”

5. The Setting Peter raises a question – Matthew 19:27
The disciples had left all
What would they have in return?
If the rich could barely be saved with God’s help, shouldn’t those who willingly give up all receive something more?

6. The Setting Jesus’ answer – Matthew 19:28-30 For the apostles
They would sit upon 12 thrones
They would judge the 12 tribes of Israel
For all disciples
They will receive many times as much as they gave up
With a warning
“But many who are first will be the last; and the last, first.”
The parable then follows
The parable ends with the same warning
So the parable explains Jesus’ answer and warning

7. The parable
Matthew 20:1-15
In the morning, a landowner hires laborers to work for a certain wage
At different times more laborers are hired for a fair, but unspecified, wage
At the end of the day all receive the same wage
The first laborers are upset
The landowner responds
You got the agreed-upon pay, that is fair
Don’t I have the right to pay the others equally?
Are you envious because I am generous?

8. The meaning of the parable
The owner is God
The first workers
The apostles and others who have given all (as in Peter’s question)
The other workers
Those who have not given as much as the first workers
Perhaps those who were converted later in life or didn’t have the opportunity or ability to do as much

9. The meaning of the parable
The main points
Everyone in the kingdom receives the same reward
That reward is more than fair and has been agreed upon
Eternal life
Those who give more should not be envious of the others
Each of us serves God to the best of our own abilities and opportunities

10. The meaning of the parable
Another point
Not saying that you can purposely put off obeying Christ until the last moment
The last workers said, “because no one hired us”
They accepted the offer as soon as made
They had not been refusing offers in order to get out of work

11. The Warning Matthew 19:30 & 20:16
Just because you started out right and early doesn’t mean you’ll finish
If you finish, you are in the same position as all others in the kingdom
But in order to finish, we have to start

12. Conclusion
God expects all His servants to do their best with the time, opportunities, and abilities which they possess
God has promised eternal life as our reward
We should not be envious of those who have not given as much, but rather rejoice in God’s generosity
We dare not delay in accepting God’s offer
No guarantee the offer will be made again
Will you accept His offer?