Laborers in the Vineyard

The devil twists the meaning of Jesus’ parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20) terribly. He is such a “good” interpreter that many people now believe that it is possible to attain just as much in God’s kingdom whether you live a godfearing life from your youth on, or whether you come about the eleventh hour. This is a cunning deception of Satan and satisfies the flesh of those people who want it that way. This allows them to live according to their lusts as long as possible, and then turn to God in the end. However, this is a decep­tion and in direct opposition to the spirit and intent of the Scriptures.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:20, “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” and in Romans 6:22, Paul says, “But now, having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to sanctification, and the end, everlasting life.” It takes time to gather treasures and become rich, and it takes many days of grace for the precious fruits of sanctification to grow in your life. To this end, coming at about the eleventh hour is not sufficient, because the longer we are in the ministry of righteousness the more treasures we can gather in heaven.

There was no difference in the wages of the laborers in the vine­yard. None of them received more than one denarius, irrespective of how much they toiled under the day’s heat and burden. Therefore this parable is a fitting example of the forgiveness of sins which is granted without regard for any works. The ungodly person is saved by grace, for Jesus’ sake, from his evil conduct; but afterward he is called to live a life of self-denial and sacrifice. Such a life results in spiritual treasures that are kept by Him who shall soon come in order to give to each one according to his work. Revelation 22:12.

All our works will burn up if we are not wholehearted and seri­ous about our conversion. Satan is very interested in this, and he uses his wiles to get as many as possible to walk naked, without their gar­ments. Revelation 16:15. However, God’s word unveils the prince of darkness whether he appears as the devil or as an angel. Therefore the matter is clear to all those who want to believe, because God’s light shines brightly. “There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from an­other star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead.” 1 Corinthians 15:41-42. There will be a great difference; and this difference will depend on the degree to which the law of sacrifice and devotion to God has been followed. Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it will remain only the one grain.

Our nature does not change just because we have worked in God’s vineyard for forty years. When evening comes (Matthew 20:8), such a person is just as human in his judgment and as envious of his fellow workers as ever. This is very true and also very serious. There can be a large flock of those who have zealously borne the heat and burden of the day, yet they have not borne the image of Him who poured out His soul to death, for a single day.

Let us be firm and immovable against every deception of Satan that everyone will be alike, and that coming to God is not an urgent matter.

“Take care that you do not lose those things you have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward!” 2 John 8.