A penny a day

In this section we find a parable where a householder went out early in the morning and hired labourers to work in his vineyard. At the eleventh hour he went out again to the market place, and hired others who were still unemployed. At the end of the day, he gave one penny to those who had worked all day, and also to them who had worked only part of the day. The early workers complained that since they had worked longer, and under much more arduous conditions, they should receive more. In response, the householder reminded them that they had agreed to work for a penny, and that he had honoured his word. Also, because no one had hired the second group earlier, through no fault of their own, they did not have the same opportunity to work as long as the others. In these circumstances, he had opened his heart to them and paid them for the whole day.

This, being a kingdom parable, primarily relates to the Lord’s second advent, when he will come to the earth, and judge Israel and the nations, but the principles involved can be applied to the coming day of reckoning, when saints will stand before the judgement seat of Christ. We learn here that the Lord in His sovereignty chooses to use us in His service. Many dear saints have borne the heat of the day, and laboured for a lifetime, but others have served well, but for a shorter time due to ill-health, premature death, martyrdom, or the Lord’s predetermined tenure for their service. Consider, for example, John the Baptist. Also, the rapture of the church will mean that the work of younger servants will be cut short. In such circumstances, the criteria for reward will not be the length of service given, but the willingness to serve when opportunity was available to serve, and the faithfulness with which that service was exercised.

In light of these facts, how important it is that we do not compare our service with the service of others, or assume entitlement to greater glory! We must humbly accept that the Lord, who could have done His work without us poor earthen vessels, has chosen to use us, and to give us reward according to His sovereign grace. To Him be all the glory!