I skipped last week (August 25) due to being out of town.
This week, with the celebration of Labor Day on our
calendars, we are looking at the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. Jesus
tells this story to illustrate God’s economy, which looks nothing at all like what
we are used to in normal business dealing. Jesus tells us that it doesn’t
matter how much time and effort you put into the work of the Kingdom, you will
receive just as rich a reward as someone who has ‘born the heat of the day.’
“Labor Day” itself, celebrated this weekend in the US, was a response to labor riots in the late 1890’s. It was a day to recognize the laborers in the country, mostly blue-collar, union workers, and to give them a day off. The image of these vineyard workers, ca 1930s, is a reminder that farm laborers are still needed, despite machinery that has taken many of the blue-collar jobs. This has impacted the livelihoods of many who depend on manual labor to earn a living.
Scripture
‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. 5When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” 7They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” 8When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” 9When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” 13But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” 16So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’ (Matthew 20:1-16)
Conversation starters
This parable strikes us as unfair when we first read it. How
can the landowner pay the laborers who worked only an hour the same day’s
wages, as the ones who worked all day? Certainly, no business owner now would
do such a thing. Many businesses take advantage of technology and machinery to
replace human workers.
There are some, however, who do the opposite and operate employee owned businesses. Perhaps not surprisingly, these do very well because the employees have a stake in the results. Bob’s Red Mill is one of these companies. Their website states, “Bob’s Red Mill is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. People are the most valuable part of our company. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees bring to their work impacts and improves our culture, reputation and overall success.”
How does the landowner’s economics make you feel?
Why do you think Jesus told this parable to illustrate the
Kingdom of God?
Do you know someone who lost a job because of automation or the
use of technology?
What strikes you about the Red Mill statement that may be different from some other company’s business practices?
Action Item
Research other employee-owned companies and consider
purchasing their products.
