Matthew 20:10, commentary and pictures

When the first-hired workers saw the late-hired receive a penny, they supposed longer labor would bring them more, but they likewise received every man the same agreed penny. They had bargained for a fixed, stipulated sum, while the later workers left the amount to the householder, trusting him to do what was right. God's favor and eternal reward are not earned by works or claimed as a right, but are given by grace according to His generous purpose. Its measure is the spirit of loving, trusting faith in which service is given, not how long one labors, how much is accomplished, or human expectations of comparative merit. Their expectation and murmuring expose a grasping, mercenary, hireling spirit of pride, self-righteousness, selfishness and jealousy, while penitent latecomers who expect little and know they have not earned it receive the same generous payment with gratitude.

Story and Setting

When the first-hired saw the late-hired receive a full penny, they supposed that longer labor entitled them to more, but they likewise received every man the same agreed penny despite the difference in hours. The householder paid them equally according to his stated agreement, giving to the first exactly what was promised while giving to the last according to his generous purpose, setting their expectation against his liberality to the latecomers. Their displeasure exposes the error of measuring God's reward by comparative labor or personal merit and rebukes a grasping, mercenary spirit that resents the master's generosity to others and considers itself entitled to increased wages and higher rank. The value of service to God is measured by the spirit in which it is given, not by how long a person works or labors.

The first workers had bargained for a fixed, stipulated sum, while the later workers trusted the owner to do what was right and left the amount to him. Their reward was not increased because they had worked longer, for their agreed terms stand in contrast to the later workers' trust that the owner would act justly. This expectation exposes the hireling spirit that continues in service for the remuneration received and tries to make terms with God to do a stated amount of work for a certain sum, as the first-called did, and in God's estimation such workers are last. Many professed believers have this same spirit, working for the wages they hope to receive and refusing to work without the wages they themselves stipulate, supposing they should receive more. At the close of the day they find themselves last, for men and women fix their own destiny as candidates either for heaven or for hell by this choice, which is entered only by denying self, taking up the cross daily, and following Christ in obedience under His instruction and guidance.

The verse belongs to the story of the laborers in the vineyard, connected with Matthew 19:16-30 and its parallels in Mark 10:17-31 and Luke 18:18-30, and pictures solitary manual farm labor with a long-handled hand tool in a fenced rural field among crops and trees. In that parable the vineyard represents the world, placing the first workers' expectation of greater pay within that setting. The penny went to those who worked in the vineyard, not to those who loitered in the marketplace, for reward is linked to faithfully doing the work given, not merely to waiting or claiming entitlement.

Grace and Reward

God's favor and the righteous, eternal reward shared by first and last are not earned by works and cannot be claimed as a right with boasting over another, for they are given by grace according to generous purpose. When the first laborers saw the late-hired receive a full day's wage they supposed longer work entitled them to more, yet each received the same penny, exposing a grasping, mercenary spirit that seeks to make terms for reward. The equal payment honors a humble, trusting and grateful spirit and calls the first to gladly welcome the last rather than envy them, with service motivated by love to God and others and not by eagerness for compensation.

The value of service and the recompense of grace are measured by the spirit of loving, trusting faith and love in which work is given, not by how long a person labors, the amount accomplished, visible results, learning, ability, or human expectations of comparative merit. The first hired had agreed to a stipulated wage yet expected more on seeing the later workers receive a penny, and they too received only the agreed penny, in contrast to the householder's generosity to the latecomers. Their claim to greater reward for longer labor reflects a faultfinding, self-exalting spirit that estimates worth by length and amount, and such self-exaltation can make those who might have been first last. God deals with people by the principles of His kingdom rather than by human standards or expectations.

The householder's equal payment to last and first shows his right to give generously without wronging those who received exactly what was promised, and hearts free from selfishness would have recognized his liberality rather than resenting it. The complaint that the later workers were made equal did not make the payment unjust, for the Lord dealt with each worker justly, measuring reward not only by hours worked or visible results but also by the spirit brought to the work. The first workers could have remained first if they had served with that humble, trusting, grateful spirit, and with pure hearts they would have seen the householder's action as generous instead of murmuring from a sense of entitlement. God's kingdom is governed not by earning in proportion to labor but by generous purpose, so expectations do not determine what workers receive.

Rebuke of Envious Service

When the first-hired saw the last-hired receive a full day's pay they supposed they should receive more than the agreed penny, yet they likewise received only the penny promised them and were displeased. That expectation exposes a grasping, mercenary, hireling spirit that serves for an agreed reward, continues in service for the remuneration hoped for, and measures service by its amount and length. It tries to make terms with God to do a stated amount of work for a certain sum, treats service as a bargain, regards its own work as worth more, and will not work without the wages it itself stipulates. In God's estimation such workers are last, and many professed believers carry this same spirit of working for wages.

Their claim to greater reward comes from comparing service and counting longer labor, greater toil, sacrifice, and service as more worthy and deserving of larger pay. They demand preference, honor, higher rank, and increased wages, valuing the reward above the privilege of serving Christ. Applied to the Jews, this attitude treated service as earning salvation by long service and greater labor. Their offense at receiving the same pay as the late workers exposes resentment of the householder's goodness, though his equal payment to last and first wronged no one who received what was agreed.

Their murmuring and complaint reveal pride, self-exaltation, self-righteousness, faultfinding, selfishness, distrust of God, and jealousy toward fellow believers. This spirit is unlike Christ, makes men untrustworthy, and can make those who might have been first last. With pure, purified hearts they would have seen the householder's action as generous liberality rather than grounds for grievance, for his treatment of the workers represents God's dealings with the human family. God's reward is according to the spirit of the service, not a worker's estimate of its worth or length.

The verse warns against judging one's own service as deserving greater reward, exalting self over others, and devaluing the work of others. Workers in God's vineyard must examine their hearts and give up their own ranking of their work and the work of others, serving for Christ rather than for wages, self-praise, esteem, or a high price set on their labor. Reward is not measured by amount accomplished, visible results, learning, ability, or comparison with another worker, but accords with the spirit and principles governing the work, so that purity of motive and earnest desire to glorify God bring the faithful worker the same reward as greater accomplishment. Those who labor whole-heartedly to the utmost of their ability do not set the highest estimate on their own services, do not swell with pride and self-importance, and do not measure every hour's work with exactness nor study how little may be done to reach the lowest standard. Comparing their efforts with the Saviour's work they account themselves unprofitable servants, seek contentment and self-denial rather than claiming higher wages as a right, and aim to grasp the fullness of Christ in order to do much for Him.

Complaining hearts need cleansing and purifying, for with cleansed hearts generosity would be recognized instead of grievance. At the close of the day those who supposed they should receive more find themselves last. By this choice men and women fix their own destiny as candidates either for heaven or for hell, which is entered only by denying self, taking up the cross daily, and following Christ in obedience under His instruction and guidance, while with every true, self-sacrificing, faithful worker laboring to warn the world God sends forth His angels. Those who demand their own terms miss the design of the divine Planner.

Welcome to Latecomers

The latecomers stand as the unworthy sinner who enters Christ's service near the end of life, expecting little and grateful simply to be accepted, and they are surprised by the generous payment because they know they have not earned it, receiving it with gratitude. Where the first workers treat service as a bargain and regard their work as worth more, these last leave their payment to the householder, and his full day's pay reveals generous kindness that fills them with thankfulness.

The Lord accepts penitent sinners who come late in life with humble faith and obedience to His commandments, and though their service has been short and little reward is expected, Christ's acceptance and gracious compensation honor a humble, thankful spirit. Reward is not secured by demanding a stipulated wage, but the spirit of loving, trusting faith matters in service, and God honors a humble, trusting and grateful heart by giving according to His generous purpose rather than the amount of work or its visible results. Service so motivated is moved by love to God and others rather than by eagerness for compensation, and its acceptance and reward are not earned by merit.

The dying thief is such an eleventh-hour laborer, receiving as much reward as those who labored many hours. His portion came through faith, patience, contrition and earnestness, through full realization that Jesus could save him and anguish that without Him he would be eternally lost, through consciousness of his own sinfulness and entire dependence on the mercy of a dying Saviour, and through casting his helpless dying soul and body on Jesus Christ.

One-hour laborers brought in at the eleventh hour receive a reward for their faithfulness, and people with few opportunities may take the place of those who had great light and rejected it. Through Christ's grace in presenting the truth they may be accounted first, workers who enter the vineyard late are still invited to serve and are accepted by the Lord, and their eleventh-hour setting shows it is not too late for sins to be forgiven and wrongs to be made right. Those who begin serving Christ at the eleventh hour, confess the truth and become His workers, enter the field late and share heavenly truth with others, and receive the same wages, being paid as much as those who worked throughout the day and first entered the field. Although the work has grown harder and people are more hardened, these late workers remain faithful and receive their penny, for the Lord accepts earnest workers brought into the fold at the eleventh hour and works through them.

Prophecy of Eleventh Hour

Matthew 20:10 belongs to the call to laborers in the vineyard that runs through all history and presses with special force near the close of earth's history. The eleventh-hour laborers will receive their penny when many souls come out from the ranks of the world and from the churches, even the Catholic church, at the crisis over religious liberty. Their zeal will far exceed that of those who have stood in rank and file proclaiming the truth heretofore, for they will see the battle coming and give the trumpet a certain sound. They will come to the front in the season of calamity, gird themselves with the whole armor of God, exalt His law, adhere to the faith of Jesus, and maintain the cause of religious liberty.

Although the work has grown harder and people more hardened, these late workers remain faithful and receive their penny, the reward of the laborers in the parable. The Lord accepts earnest workers brought into the fold at the eleventh hour and works through them. As they share heavenly truth with others they enter the field late yet are paid as much as those who first entered the field.

Call to Vineyard Work

The vineyard is the Lord's work and the world itself, the gospel work in which every Christian and every professing church member and every accountable person has a part and an assigned task to perform. No one is to remain idle and there are to be no idlers, for all are to use their God-given powers efficiently and persevering daily effort increases ability to labor effectively and bear fruit. Each is to faithfully fill the place and do the duties assigned in the moral vineyard.

Working in that vineyard is zealous, wide-awake labor for the salvation of souls in imitation of self-denial, sacrifice, and faithful, earnest work. It is warning sinners, winning souls, opening new fields, entering the cities, personally seeking conversions, sowing truth, helping suffering people wherever they are, pressing truth upon those in darkness in unison with heavenly messengers, and doing home duties such as teaching and patiently helping younger children. Those who have been fruitless are to consecrate themselves because the work is sacred, and weak, unproductive service that stays among churches already rich in light deprives God of glory.

True laborers give themselves wholly to the work, go without the camp bearing reproach, place themselves where God is working to advance the work and gather experience, trust God and go forward as He directs for wisdom, strength, and support. They keep step with God's people and work in unity and harmony, staying open to all further knowledge God gives while practicing the light already given, rather than claiming special new light while failing to walk in it and leaving the load on others. Sitting at home calling the church to oneself is not working in God's order, nor is remaining among churches already rich in advantages or serving indifferently. Paul and Barnabas show the pattern by sowing the seed of truth with zealous, untiring, prayerful activity and by earnestly teaching every converted man of promise and ability, such as Timothy, to labor unselfishly, earnestly, and perseveringly for fellow men so new disciples are established and faith increases.

Ministers are to give work to those standing idle and correct their mistakes rather than hinder them from serving. The Lord has workers throughout His vineyard, influential and lowly, who can serve in harmony without being bound to a human center of control, for He teaches and guides them and gives each a part to perform. He watches over His workers wherever they labor in the large vineyard and calls for more workers in soul-saving work, holding them accountable and calling them to give account of what they have done.

Christ welcomes workers into His vineyard and equips them for the work He gives, so that even those who seem unlikely, unqualified, or discouraging to others can be called, enabled, and prepared for work suited to their abilities. Labor in God's cause in explaining the Scriptures and lecturing upon the prophecies requires schooling in common education and present truth that disciplines the mind, develops its powers, and directs them to represent Bible religion and promote God's glory, since divine truth is best appreciated and Christ best glorified by intelligent service. God accepts those with good abilities consecrated to Him, and young men who consecrate themselves unreservedly, give mental powers to God's service rather than to self and property-getting, study Scripture to become intelligent in spiritual knowledge and the kingdom, warn sinners and win souls, turn sinners to Christ and point the unbelieving and desponding heavenward, and walk in the light advancing from degree to degree, will labor as earnest, persevering, successful workers and when the warfare is ended be welcomed to their Lord's joy.

Those employed in God's work are responsible to use all abilities faithfully in His service, for Christ has paid for their service with His blood and suffering and they belong to Him to work willingly with sacrifice and self-denial. Abilities, resources, and entrusted means and talents must be used for God's cause and the advancement of His work rather than turned toward selfish gain, and the work is to be carried forward with entrusted means, bringing present satisfaction and future reward. The heaviest obligation rests on the one whose means and opportunity are greatest, and today as a day of trust and opportunity will be followed by a day of reckoning showing how accounts stand, with each vessel large and small expected to yield interest in proportion to capital, ability, and opportunity.

God requires equity and just judgment in His vineyard with equal concern for every field, not jealousy and selfish ambition that demand advantage because of position or prosperity. He sees the unworked, destitute places where memorials should stand and does not approve gathering means from every source to enlarge one place or absorbing a large amount in one place or one line while blocking advance elsewhere. Every building is to be erected with reference to other places needing similar buildings, and other parts of the vineyard must be given a chance through many small sanitariums, treatment rooms in many cities, and hygienic restaurants.

Men and women employed in God's cause are laborers in the Lord's vineyard whose wages are sacred and must be handled on fair, true, and right principles as a sacred transaction between man and fellow man. Their wages must not be cut down without their consent and without understanding their situation, but with worker voice, open statement of lack of means, and willing agreement if less support is needed, for God's cause can afford to be fair. Selfish management that cuts wages turns from God, reveals selfish character before heaven and men, brings families into strait places of want and oppression, and tempts, discourages, and drives workers from the field.

Service in the Lord's work is not for personal enjoyment or greatest gain but calls for self-sacrifice and work wherever one can serve. Even the humblest servant can do this work of living faith consistently and serving others, whose reward is the consciousness of doing right. The hire is described as souls given by God to workers in His vineyard, with present satisfaction and future reward.

The vineyard setting also places experienced workers helping those beginning new work within the Master's vineyard.