Sermons from St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Atlanta
Sep 20, 2026 · 14 min · 7 segments
A story of God's grace, justice, kindness, mercy, respect, and a demonstration of human dignity shown to others, the least of these, notwithstanding the fact that they were the last to be chosen.
This parable of the laborers in the vineyard has caused quite a lot of consternation among many.
Not only the laborers who began their workday early and felt cheated by the landowner, but by the readers and hearers of this story.
They have attempted to justify their position by arguing that in this parable, there is far too much unfairness being practiced and seemingly being normalized by the generous landowner or master of the house.
Adding that they would not have accepted the same wage as those who only worked for one hour, even though they all have the same needs.
But how does one explain hiring workers at different hours of the day, beginning as early as 6:00 AM, and paying them the same wage as persons hired at 9:00 AM, at 12 noon, at 3:00 PM, and even as late as 5:00 PM, just one hour before the workday ends at 6:00? Well, one can do that on a couple of different levels.
Firstly, there was an agreement by the workers to be paid the usual day's wage, which is one denarius.
And secondly, the landowner had the right to do with his property whatever he wished.
It is clear that one does not get to make the rules when she or he is not the boss.
In other words, the subordinate or underling is the one to execute the predetermined instructions and does not get to change the rules along the way.
And just in case I have not yet said it, I absolutely love this parable.
A story of God's grace, justice, kindness, mercy, respect, and a demonstration of human dignity shown to others, the least of these, notwithstanding the fact that they were the last to be chosen.
This parable of the laborers in the vineyard has caused quite a lot of consternation among many.
Not only the laborers who began their workday early and felt cheated by the landowner, but by the readers and hearers of this story.
They have attempted to justify their position by arguing that in this parable, there is far too much unfairness being practiced and seemingly being normalized by the generous landowner or master of the house.
Adding that they would not have accepted the same wage as those who only worked for one hour, even though they all have the same needs.
But how does one explain hiring workers at different hours of the day, beginning as early as 6:00 AM, and paying them the same wage as persons hired at 9:00 AM, at 12 noon, at 3:00 PM, and even as late as 5:00 PM, just one hour before the workday ends at 6:00? Well, one can do that on a couple of different levels.
Firstly, there was an agreement by the workers to be paid the usual day's wage, which is one denarius.
And secondly, the landowner had the right to do with his property whatever he wished.
It is clear that one does not get to make the rules when she or he is not the boss.
In other words, the subordinate or underling is the one to execute the predetermined instructions and does not get to change the rules along the way.
And just in case I have not yet said it, I absolutely love this parable.
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