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“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. After he agreed with the workers to pay them a denarion, he sent them into his vineyard... Don’t I have the right to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or are you resentful because I’m generous? So those who are last will be first. And those who are first will be last.” (Matthew 20:1–16, CEB)

Have you ever had a day—or maybe even a life—where you felt completely overlooked? Like you were standing in the crowded marketplace, ready to start, but nobody would give you a chance? You look around and think, "I'm ready, but no one wants to hire me."

Let me tell you a story about a homeowner who needed handymen for his house projects. The homeowner goes out all day—morning, noon, and afternoon—and hires people for a multitude of jobs he needs done. These are hard jobs in the blazing sun.  It will be hard work, but the homeowner agrees to pay a fair days wage.

At 4:00 p.m., just one hour before quitting time, the homeowner hires the last few people still hanging around the hardware store looking for jobs.  The homeowner asks them the hard question: “Why are you just standing around here doing nothing all day long?”

The Shame of the Last Hour

The answer from these latecomers is heartbreaking: "We're willing to work, but nobody has hired us."

Being hired so late in the day likely means you're desperate for work. These people had been standing there all day, hoping, but were ignored. When the homeowner finally offers to hire them to simply sweep the sidewalks for one hour, they immediately go. They’re simply grateful for the chance to earn something to feed their families. They are the “Last” of the last.

Maybe you identify with this feeling. Maybe you feel like your life is starting late, or you’ve wasted years, or you think you have too many mistakes to ever start over. You think, “If I only have one hour left in the day, what good am I now?”

The Shock of the Payday

This is where things get interesting.  The truly shocking moment comes at payday. The homeowner starts paying the last group first, and he gives the one-hour sweepers a full day’s wage ($150). It’s not fair—it’s unconditional generosity.

This is the central point Jesus wants everyone to understand from the story He tells: God is the generous homeowner.

  1. He’s looking for you. The homeowner didn't wait for people to come to him; he went out five times during the day to find people. God is actively seeking people to join Him, no matter how lost they feel or what stage of life they're in.

  2. Your past doesn’t matter. The "Last" people—those who were overlooked, those who worked the fewest minutes, those with the most "wasted time"—receive the same full gift as the first. This is God saying, “I don’t care how many years you wasted. I don’t care what your past is. The offer is the same, and the welcome is complete.”

  3. You receive the full gift. The full day’s wage represents eternal life and total welcome into God’s family. It doesn't matter how long you've waited to start your life with God, the full gift is given freely out of His generosity.

This story is a powerful promise: It is never too late to be chosen. God is still hiring. He is ready to offer you the full gift right now. All you have to do is say, "I'll go."

Reflection: If you could talk to the generous homeowner, would you be worried about the size of the task you'd have to do, or the size of the gift you would receive?

Prayer: God, I confess I’ve spent time standing around in the marketplace of life. Thank You for looking for me and choosing me even when I didn't think I was worth being hired. I need Your strength today to finally leave the marketplace and ...  Amen.

 

Do you have questions and want to go deeper? Doubt isn't the enemy; it's the start. Pastor Vic would love to have an honest conversation with you. Text COFFEE to 509-509-2231 to set up a time to chat.