"The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.' So they went off. (And) he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.' When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat.' He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? (Or) am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?' Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last." (Mt 20:1-16)
Kingdom of heaven is not a place of rest. It is a place where one goes to work. The owner invites people to work. It is not a work for nothing. The work brings reward. Interesting factors are that one can be called to come for work at anytime. The kingdom is not controlled by time or talent. It is open to anyone. It is an inclusive place. It includes everyone and entry is free and at anytime.
In the kingdom also we find grumblers. People come in with secular (social) mind. Their thinking is controlled by social values and social systems. They expect to be treated as they would be in the society. They expect social stratifications. They expect rewards according to their work. They expect the rule ‘first come first served’ to be practiced and hoped that the first come to be well paid etc.
But the attitude of the owner is important. He does the things that are not in a society. They are in the kingdom. Kingdom is a place where there are no criteria for entry. There is no time limit. The owner is a generous person and he is a good person. His goodness causes envy among people. He continues to be what he is.
