“Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.” (Matthew 20:15-16)
In this parable Jesus presents a concept that is antithetical to what the world, our culture, our society values except those who happen to be socialists. Socialists would proclaim that Jesus is using this parable to urge the benefits of the equal distribution of wealth and resources. But capitalists would see actions of the owner of the vineyard as unjust and stupid. Those who came to work later in the day were obviously shiftless idlers and goldbricks, lacking in ambition, skill and productivity. It is both unjust and poor business for this man to pay all his hired hands the same amount of money for differing amounts of work.
Yet this parable is not about economics, socialism or materialism. The message that Jesus preaches is about God’s mercy. He is not fair in the sense we humans think is appropriate. He is merciful, compassionate, kind, and patient. All who come to repentance and faith in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for their sins, will be granted forgiveness. That includes liars, selfish, and self-righteous people as well as those who we think “deserve” no mercy: drug addicts, alcoholics, murderers, rapists, perverts, prostitutes, sodomites, politicians, celebrities, etc. That may seem outrageous to those who think that they are sinless, or that their sins are not as bad as those of others, but the truth is we are all sinners. None of our righteous acts, no matter how good, noble, or altruistic, or how numerous and appreciated can earn us a place in heaven.
The good news is that Jesus rewards any and all who humbly come to Him by faith asking for forgiveness. They have been crushed and convicted by their sins and by the realization of their sinful nature. They need our help, our compassion, and the truth of the gospel entrusted to us. Therefore rather than voice our outrage and complaints about their blatant immorality, we ought to pray for them to come to faith. Without Christ they will lose everything. In Christ they will find peace and eternal life based not on their own merits, but on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.