Work for God

We work. We get paid. That is the rule of law.

The Kingdom of Heaven is governed by a unique set of principles when it comes to labor and wages. To explain how the Kingdom operates, Jesus tells a parable about the owner of a vineyard who hires laborers at different times during the day to work in his vineyard for a denarius a day. At the end of the work day, the employer pays them all the same wages—a denarius each. But the workers grumble. They think they’ve been treated unfairly.

Jesus elucidates, however, that in the Kingdom of God everyone who is saved receives the same reward—eternal life. It does not matter at what age we accept Christ as our Savior or what our lifespan on earth is.

We are different from the laborers in the vineyard, in the sense that our salvation requires no effort or labor on our part. Eternal life is a gift of grace, received by faith.

What this parable may also refer to is the attitude with which we serve God. By expecting God to give us what we think we deserve for our hard work, we are not only undermining His authority and sovereignty, but also overlooking His grace and generosity. When we judge our work by human standards, we inevitably compare ourselves with others, leading to discontentment, disappointment, and resentment.

The citizens of God’s kingdom are rewarded according to God’s will and grace, not according to their seniority, popularity, knowledge, or even faithfulness. Out of his lavish kindness and grace, God has chosen, saved, and called us to be His. It is an honor and privilege not only to be part of God’s kingdom but also to serve Him.

Respond

• How often do you ask God to reward you based on your work and sacrifice rather than based on His sovereign grace?
• What is your motivation for serving God?