Some of you may know that I’ve recently started attending church again after spending many years doing absolutely anything else on a Sunday. My reasons for attending again, how I rediscovered my faith and what I get out of it are subjects for another blog, but I’ve been blessed to listen to some incredibly interesting sermons over the past few weeks. I was particularly struck by one comparing “Easy Faith” to “Hard Discipleship” – and how it’s very easy to be a Christian by habit and through prayer when required, but much more difficult to always act according to Christian teachings. I should probably reflect on this a bit more,
Today’s reading was the Parable of the Vineyard Workers from Matthew 20:1-16. To summarise, Jesus tells a story of a vineyard owner who hires workers at the start of the day. He then hires more workers part way through the day and then some more an hour before the work day is over. Once it’s done, the owner pays the same wage to all workers, which the ones who’ve work all day complain about – despite receiving what they are entitled to. The owner chastises them, finishing with the oft-quoted “So the last will be first, and the first will be last”.
From a spiritual point of view, I find that this makes sense. I just struggle with applying it to a non-spiritual setting. I’ve definitely struggled in my life by not feeling adequately rewarded when I’ve worked incredibly hard – or where a differentiator hasn’t been noticed. I also think that people who work harder (perhaps also longer?) should deserve more rewards. But I believe this is the case in a physical world, why should I believe the opposite in a spiritual one?
I’m not 100% sure whether this parable should be one to implement in a daily life – showing up late to work is hardly likely to receive any reward at all! – but I think I might need to think about this one a little more.
Hope everyone has had a good week.
Matt