ONEFamily
Outreach exists to "Connect
Kids to Community and Communities to Kids."
I originally began posting these studies as a service to the jails and shelters where I was a Chaplain. They are available for free. If you can make a donation (no donation is too small), that would help defray some of the costs and support our work. If you are unable to support us at this time -- it's okay, I've been there too -- God bless you in your ministry and I pray this study can be a blessing to you.
ONEFamily
Outreach is primarily
supported by your donations and by trainings, workshops, retreats and concerts.
[1] “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. [2] And when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. [3] And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place; [4] and to those he said, ‘You too go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And {so} they went. [5] Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. [6] And about the eleventh {hour} he went out, and found others standing; and he said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day long?’ [7] They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into the vineyard.’ [8] And when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last {group} to the first.’ [9] And when those {hired} about the eleventh hour came, each one received a denarius. [10] And when those {hired} first came, they thought that they would receive more; and they also received each one a denarius. [11] And when they received it, they grumbled at the landowner, [12] saying, ‘These last men have worked {only} one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’ [13] But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? [14] Take what is yours and go your way, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. [15] Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’ [16] Thus the last shall be first, and the first last.” (NAS)
How God counts
Matthew wrote his Gospel primarily with the Jewish people in mind. His intent was to set forth the most symbolically important events and statements of Christ’s life that would clarify His claim to be the Messiah.
That helps us understand the context of the vineyard story and the importance of its meaning to us. It is a story of a people who were blessed with an identity as a nation and the written history of biblical knowledge. Even more, it is a story of a blessed people who saw their gift as a privilege and not a responsibility.
I face this situation at times with groups I have led to Mexico or to jails. It is always difficult for a person to respond to the resounding click of a jail door locking behind them or witnessing the abject poverty of a homeless child in a developing nation. What warms me is the man or woman who comes away from such an experience 1) humbled by a realistic view of their own possessions and needs, 2) determined to live more simply, 3) committed to find ways to advocate for those excluded from the economic system and 4) desiring to deepen their relationship with “the least of these.” They may not know how to solve the problem—but they are at least willing to be in the vineyard.
Simultaneously, I find myself disappointed by people whose shallow response to injustice is nothing more than a glib, “Thank God I am not one of them.”
That’s the response of pity and privilege not compassion and responsibility. That is what God attacks in this reading today.
With closer examination, we might find that this story uncomfortably speaks to us as much as it did to the original audience of disciples. We are a nation blessed beyond measure and yet we seem confused about whether what we receive is for our privilege or our stewardship. The issue isn’t what we earn; the issue is what we do with our earnings. As the income gap widens in the US to unprecedented, indeed, obscene levels, our greatest challenge today is to become simpler in a culture of “more.” Repeatedly Christ shows us the key to Kingdom Economics; that wealth is never about accumulation, but distribution.
That’s Kingdom-Economics, that’s how God counts.
Enough for all
God is the vineyard owner. This story tells us that He has enough resources for all to be gainfully employed in the vineyard. God is abundance! Yet, as Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Our world has enough for everyone’s needs but not enough for everyone’s greed.” We are not in a world that is crippled by scarcity; we are in a world that is crippled by an attitude of scarcity.
God did not shortchange this world! God does not create imperfection. In Christ’s vineyard story there was enough for everyone’s needs. Everyone received a denarius for his work. That was about the equivalent of what a family would need to live on for one day. It was a just wage!
That gives us so much insight into God. Our Lord is not concerned with profit margins, he is concerned with justice. When we get to heaven we will not be asked about what we have accumulated but what we have distributed. He will not ask us how much profit we amassed while on earth, he will ask us how broke we became—broken hearted, broken and given; broken and blessed! Our blessing comes in giving, not hoarding.
God is concerned that everyone has enough for each day. To understand God’s economics we must recognize that God emphasizes the enough for each day thing:
Proverbs 30:7
[Pr 30:7] Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: [8] Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, [9] That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God. (NAS)
Matthew 6:25
[Mt 6:25] “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26] “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? [27] “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? [28] “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, [29] yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. [30] “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! [31] “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ [32] “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. [33] “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
[34] “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (NAS)
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus puts it like this;
Matthew 6:11
[Mt 6:11] “Give us this day our daily bread.” (NAS)
I have begun to add to that prayer (I hope God doesn’t mind), “Lord, give me only what I need and take away my wants. Make me want only you.” This story is as much about living simply as it is about living justly. Indeed the Old Testament and New Testament continually point to another statement of Mahatma Gandhi; “We must live simply so others may simply live.”
“It’s not fair,” but is it just?
The story turns ugly as those who had the unique privilege of working in the vineyard from early morning saw that those who were brought in during late afternoon also received a just day’s wage. They thought it was “not fair” that others were blessed with a just wage—enough for the day. Alternatively, God thought it unjust that someone would be unable to feed their family regardless of when they started work. Which do I find fair? Which do I find just? It leads to some troubling personal questions:
Am I more angered that someone earns the same as me or that someone goes hungry?
What if my belief in what’s fair leads to someone else’s family being hungry?
Am I more concerned about my rights or the world’s injustice?
Which appeals to more to God’s sensibilities, my sensitivity over my own personal rights or a man who works but cannot feed his family?
Idleness: Being outside
Those who were gathered first were not gathered based on any merit of their own. They weren’t the best and brightest, they weren’t picked for their exceptional abilities. They were gathered because they were hanging out at the right place at the right time. The Master saw idle people looking for work in the morning and he gave them a mission. He saw people idle at 9:00, 12:00, 3:00 and 5:00; right up to closing time and he took them all in. He brought them all into his vineyard.
Money wasn’t the object of the story, being a part of the harvest was the object. Being brought in was the object. No one was paid poorly. No one was paid with a wage that would leave their family hungry. The only ones who were unhappy about receiving their wages were the ones who were worried about the world’s concept of fairness.
There is an interesting history to the word and Hebrew concept of idleness. Let’s look at some Old and New Testament referrals to this concept;
2 Sam 11:1-5
11:1 Then it happened in the spring , at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.
2 Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. 3 So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 4 And David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her; and when she had purified herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house. 5 And the woman conceived; and she sent and told David, and said, “I am pregnant.”
NASB Proverbs 19:15
[Prov 19:15] Laziness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle man will suffer hunger. (NAS)
Ezekiel 16:49-50
[Ezek 16:49] “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. [50] “Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw {it.}” (NAS)
Matthew 11:16
[Matt 11:16] “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other {children}.” (NAS)
1 Timothy 5:13
[1 Tim 5:13] And at the same time they also learn {to be} idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper {to mention.} (NAS)
Hebrews 6:11-12
[Heb 6:11] And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, [12] that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (NAS)
The Greek word for idle is, argos. It means to be useless or lazy, it also means to be without purpose or drive. It means to lack motivation.
In my work with the incarcerated, I have learned that people lack motivation for three reasons:
Value: They do not value attaining a certain goal because it is unimportant to them;
Expectation: Perhaps they value a goal but have no expectation of attaining it.
Instrumentality: Perhaps they value a goal but see that no matter how hard they work they will not be able to obtain it.
Most of the people I meet in jail or children I meet in detention do not want to be there. Most of them desire productive lives. This is different from the populasr viewpoint that would lead us to believe that most crimes are committed out of a sadistic or psychotic compulsion. The reality is that most crime is attached to an increase in poverty, addiction and systemic hopelessness. In order to reduce crime we need to do exactly what the Vineyard Owner was doing. Increase opportunity!
Yet, how do we increase motivation if people believe that no matter how hard they work they will still remain poor? That reveals the greatest cultural obscenity today. The vast majority of our homeless are working poor. They are not idle, wasting time, or lacking industriousness. They are working. Sometimes two, even three part-time jobs. But they still can’t provide for their families!
That’s exactly what the vineyard owner was fighting. He said he would pay them “whatever is right (v4).” The word for “right” in Greek was not a legal or political term. It meant, “whatever is just.” Rights and justice don’t necessarily mix in our culture. It may be legal to pay someone a wage that is below a living standard—but is it just to do so? This story tells the Christian; “No!”
Hell is like…
Here is an incredible insight into hell: To be in God’s vineyard, to receive God’s reward and yet instead of experiencing joy, to be filled with envy, self-righteousness and anger. Imagine standing right next to God, being allowed to participate in the harvest and yet, still seething with self-righteous anger!
Obviously, these people were working for the wrong reasons. That is what sin means—to “miss the target.” Imagine laboring all of our lives only to find ourselves still angry, still empty and still whining about how life is so unfair.
Simultaneously, it is also a great insight into heaven. God does not want anyone to be outside the vineyard and idle in life. Work isn’t hell to God; being outside the harvest is hell! God’s work throughout eternity is to try and bring people into the vineyard and allow them to joyfully participate in the harvest. Heaven is being part of God’s plan and gathering the fruit of the Kingdom. It is something that God is constantly doing and will constantly do, right up to quitting time (when the harvest is in). Whether we see that as joy or drudgery is apparently up to us. For the proximity of God was constant, the vision of God was constant, even the reward of God was constant. The only variable that was not constant was the attitude of the people.
The more I mature, the more I realize that I am the variable between heaven and hell. I choose my attitude. A professor I had in college told our Family and Marriage Studies class, “Would you rather be right or married?” Christ makes the point in this reading, “Would you rather be self-righteous or in the kingdom?”
Which chains am I forging?
All of nature points to our Creator. That only makes sense. The Creator’s touch is visible on all creation. One of the most visible signs of our Lord is in the simple principles of planting a garden. If you are industrious and plant corn, then you grow corn. Work a little more, plant some tomatoes and you get tomatoes but never in a one to one ratio. If you plant ten tomato plants you don’t just get ten tomatoes. You get a hundred or more! You don’t just receive what you plant; you get it back in abundance. However idleness is strangely different. When you are idle, you don’t just get a nice looking garden; you get weeds. Not just one weed, but hordes and hordes of weeds. That’s why God wants us off the streets and in the vineyard and each day he will give us what we need to do his work.
Yet, this story also reveals that there was something bad that was planted, even in the vineyard. While harvesters should have been thankful for being able to work in the vineyard, some were instead growing weeds of discontent. It is apparent that their territorialism grew as the day progressed. As more workers came, more ill-feelings developed. Those seeds of selfishness grew deeper as the vineyard owner expanded his mercy. The more he loved, the angrier those who were first in the vineyard became.
Do I have seeds of selfless joy or self-righteous discontent growing in my heart today? All of God’s creation tells me that I can’t plant a weed today and expect to harvest a fruit tomorrow. If there is self-righteousness or anger in my heart now, I cannot expect to reap joy at the harvest later.
It is important to examine my soul for the seeds of pride. Am I rejoicing in the vineyard? Am I ecstatic about those “coming in”—no matter how late they show up or what state they are in? Am I concerned that all receive a just wage for their day’s effort, or am I more worried about getting my rights and my sense of fairness?
The Double Sin
These people were committing a double sin. While pretending to do the Master’s work they did not have the Master’s love in their hearts. This made their efforts worthless in the eyes of the Master:
1 Corinthians 13:3
[1Co 13:3] And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. (NAS)
It always interests me to meet people who are angered by prison ministries or outreaches to the vulnerable. It’s as if improving the lives of the alienated will hinder the lives of those who are blessed. I often say to people who seem angered that I spend time ministering in jails; “More than 85% of these men and women will be released back into your community. Which one do you want as a neighbor; the one mentored into a relationship with Christ or the one whose only contacts were other angry inmates?”
You see, mercy makes sense even on a selfish basis.
Weeding your heart
If we want to keep our heart “weed-free” there are four solid actions we can take. They won’t be new to those who have read these studies for a while for they are thematic to the Gospel.
Constant and habitual relationship with God;
Make it a priority each day to walk with God. The Greek word, peripateo, means to walk around the city’s parameter with someone. It was indicative of a king taking stock of the city’s defenses. That is how the disciples learned so much about Jesus. Not in synagogue lectures, but walking the earth with Jesus. Do not let a day pass without walking with Jesus.
Micah 6:8
[Mi 6:8] He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? (NAS)
Psalm 86:11-12
[Ps 86:11] Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name. [12] I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever. (NAS)
Pray for a passion for His Word;
Paul tells us that God’s word is bursting with purpose in every situation. The bible is so much more than a rulebook. It is God-breathed (inspired) able to offer direction, hope, comfort and even reproof so that we can pursue a life of abundant joy. Whatever our circumstances.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
[2Ti 3:16] All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; [17] so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (NAS)
Challenging, biblical fellowship;
This is not easy to find today. In many churches members are encouraged to become increasingly wrapped up only in church-focused activities. Instead of saying, “Go and make disciples,” they spread a message of, “Stay and become members.” Christianity is not about membership, it is about discipleship!
Christians should always be challenged to become involved in doing the work of Christ. In fact, Christ began relating this story to his disciples because of the rich young man who would not follow Christ. He was crippled by his possessions. To become “perfect,” Jesus tells the young man to: 1) sell everything; 2) give it all to the poor and then 3) follow Him.
Matthew 19:21
[Mt 19:21] Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete (or perfect), go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (NAS)
We are given multiple hints that the Kingdom of Heaven is run by different rules altogether. Here is how Christ suggests we pick the perfect guest list for a “Kingdom Party.”
Luke 14:13-14
[Lk 14:13] “But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, [14] and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (NAS)
When you think of church evangelism, are those the people who top your invitation list? We must remember the mission of Jesus himself:
Luke 4:18-19
[Lk 4:18] “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, [19] TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.” (NAS)
Our Lord’s mission was reaffirmed when John’s disciples asked for signs that Jesus was the Expected One. The signs (fruits) that Jesus says prove he was the Christ will be the same fruits that prove we are Christians;
Luke 7:22-23
[Lk 7:22] And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. [23] “Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.” (NAS)
We need to report too. Our report must mirror the report of Christ to John [Mt 25:31-46]. Is this what your fellowship is challenging you to pursue? Do you hear them saying; “Settle in and get comfortable,” or, “Saddle up and get ready?”
Meaningful relationship with the “least of these”
At the heart of these readings is the Gospel imperative of justice. If I am uncomfortable with the least of these now then imagine how much more uncomfortable I will be on the day when God completes his vision of a just wage for all.
Ultimately, I believe what scares people about associating with “the least of these” is not that they fear being mugged or robbed but that they fear they will be uncomfortable. Their paradigms might be broken, their prejudices might be proven false, their excuses for idleness in the face of injustice might pale. Then what?
Change!!!
I might have to change! My lifestyle, my actions, my relationships, my comfort zone, even my belief system! That would leave me vulnerable. I might be viewed as radical, even prophetic. People might say, “Oh you’re one of those!”
Yet, here is something I find personally encouraging when I fear the call of Christ to the poor: Do I fear others calling me, “one of those,” more than I desire Jesus calling me, “one of mine?”
Ridding my life of grumbling
Our stay in this world should not be viewed as anything more than an opportunity to rid ourselves of all the attributes that are not God-centered. That includes attachments to things as well as attitudes of self-righteousness. Over and over again scripture counsels us that we cannot squeeze through the narrow gate with a backpack of money, pride, anger or prejudice. The story of vineyard workers tells us that grumbling is also a hindrance to joy, especially when our grumbling is over our dear Lord’s generosity. Here are people working right next to God, watching His compassion, but they are trapped in self-righteous anger over his generosity. Talk about missing the point (sin)!
Don’t let self-righteousness cloud the joy of God’s harvest. Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4-9
[Phl 4:4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! [5] Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. [6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
[8] Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. [9] The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (NAS)
About the Author
Jerry Goebel is a community organizer who started ONEFamily Outreach in response to gang violence and youth alienation in a rural community in Southeastern Washington. Since that time, Jerry has worked with communities around the globe to break the systemic hold of poverty by enhancing the strengths of the poor.
A primary philosophy of ONEFamily Outreach is to teach; “poverty is a lack of healthy relationships.” And, a primary focus of ONEFamily Outreach has been to break down the barriers of poverty through creating “cultures of intentional courtesy.”
As well as having developed ongoing mentoring outreaches in his own community, Jerry travels extensively to work with church leaders, community governments, and educators.
Jerry has received five popular music awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, a Best Educational Video Award from the National Catholic Education Association, and a lifetime achievement award from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry for living Gospel Values.
To contact or book Jerry for a presentation in your area write or call:
The New Testament Greek Lexicon based on Thayer’s and
Smith’s Bible Dictionary plus others; this is keyed to the large Kittel and the
“Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.” These files are public domain.
The Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon is Brown, Driver,
Briggs, Gesenius Lexicon; this is keyed to the “Theological Word Book of the Old
Testament.” These files are considered public domain.