Welcome to Living Word Cast! I’m Pastor Michael Chilcott, coming to you from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This podcast exists to proclaim, teach, and explore the Word of God together. Our goal is to provide sound theological and biblical guidance on all things Scripture, helping you grow deeper in your understanding of the Bible and your relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Whether you’re seeking answers, encouragement, or a closer walk with God, this podcast is here to help you stay firmly rooted in the truth of God’s Word.

We’re diving into one of Jesus’ parables that has caused many to pause and reflect: The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. If you have your Bible with you, please turn to Matthew 20:1-16. Let’s begin by reading this passage:

Scripture Reading (Matthew 20:1-16, ESV)

1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.

2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3 And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went.

5 Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same.

6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’

7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’

8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’

9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius.

10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius.

11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’

12 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?

13 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you.

14 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’

15 So the last will be first, and the first last.”

This is a parable that’s both striking and difficult to wrap our minds around. The idea of fairness, especially in the workplace, is something we wrestle with deeply. At first glance, it seems almost unjust — how can a master pay those who worked one hour the same as those who worked all day? But let’s slow down and unpack this.