Anyone involved in managing schools, parishes, businesses, or workplaces where there are several employees knows that the parable of the workers in the vineyard is not a recommended model for dealing with employees. Giving equal wages for unequal work or giving unequal wages for equal work will always cause unrest.
Fortunately, the parable is not about economics or labor-management relationships. The main emphasis of the story is not on the industrious laborers who went to work early and got a just wage. The emphasis is on the latecomers and a master who loves and blesses latecomers.
We humans value fairness and equity. We often find ourselves in one of those uncomfortable paradoxes of human nature. We ask ourselves, “Why am I not treated fairly? Why didn’t I get that promotion? Why do I have this illness? How dare he speak to me like that?” At other times we ask God, “Why do You bless me despite my unworthiness? Don’t You know how sinful I am?”
God thinks beyond fairness and justice. He is a God of grace and mercy. If God was just a fair God, then I believe that many of the blessings we receive would not be ours in the first place. Just take God’s love: we can never do enough to merit it, yet He gives it freely.
A story is told about a woman who is envious of her rich neighbors. She always complained to God about how they were rich while she was not. She thought that God was being unfair to her because she worked hard and even used to serve in their church.
Months and years had passed; her complaint to God was still the same: “Why is it that they are rich while I am not?” Then, one night, she had a dream; and in that dream, God said to her, "you only measure the blessings that I bestow upon you by the money and properties that you possess."
God further said to her, "yes, you are not blessed materially, but look at your very successful and very well-brought-up children. Look at your loving husband who has been faithful to you since day one. Look at your health; nobody among your family members has been to a hospital for health issues." Suddenly, the woman had a realization that she was far more blessed by God than her neighbor.
The workers who arrived early at the vineyard complained about their wages without realizing that the landowner had already guaranteed them work for the day, ensuring they could feed their families, unlike those who arrived later. Was it not a blessing for them?
Oftentimes, the blessings of God are hidden beyond material wealth and money. Should we not appreciate all blessings, such as peace in the family, faithfulness and tranquility in married life, friends and companions, good health, and many more blessings that cannot be quantified by any amount of money?
My homework for you: count your blessings today.
Father Boby John, C.S.C., ordained a priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross in 2008, worked as a pastor and as an educator with tribal populations in Northeast India for thirteen years. Originally from Kerala, India, Father Boby grew up with three siblings. He is a dedicated and detailed educationist with experience in educational leadership. He is currently working as an executive assistant at the world headquarters of Holy Cross Family Ministries, North Easton, Massachusetts.
