Matthew 20
It is understandable why the workers hired at earlier hours felt unfair when they found the workers hired at later hours were paid the same. But I don’t worry if this would happen in this world. Because it is very unlikely that in our world any employer would hire and pay like this landowner. Employers try to cut labour costs for their businesses. And they always look for cheaper labours. That’s why often we hear the news that companies move their productions from countries to countries. It will be most likely a waste of time if you suspect that out of generosity your employers pay more to other workers excluding you.
But the kingdom of heaven is different. The difference is not that God’s arbitrary will or favouritism overpower the common sense of justice. Nor is it that God turns a blind eye to our sins and failures. The difference is that God generously offers mercy to everyone who looks for his compassion and strives for eternal life. God doesn’t look for ways to minimize his mercy for salvation. God does not see mercy as a cost for salvation. His happiness is not in the maximum number of saved souls by a minimum amount of mercy. His mercy doesn’t have a limit. God is a cheerful giver. Whether we are invited from our mothers’ wombs or at the death beds, God wants to give full salvation. God’s economy of mercy and salvation don’t follow the fundamental assumption of the human economy – scarce resources but unlimited wants. God’s economy of salvation is not a competitive market. Our Lord provides for us unlimited mercy and salvation. It is up to us to ask for and to persevere in his mercy.
