In Matthew chapter 20, Jesus tells the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. The story goes that the master of the house hired men to work in his vineyard at four different times of the day, offering each the same day’s worth of wages. When the time came for the men to be compensated, each man received one denarius for their day of work. However, those who had started early complained that they were not paid more for working earlier and longer. The master replies:
“Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.”
This most likely struck the crowd in the same way that strikes us now. It is natural to feel a tinge of confusion because we might agree that the earlier workers deserved more pay. However, the point Jesus is making here is not about material wages. He is speaking of an eternal gift from God that is offered to all of us no matter the amount of work we’ve accomplished.
Fully supporting our employees means offering them the greatest of what you have, which doesn’t always mean more money. For Christ at Work, the best thing we can offer is compassion fueled by faith in the Gospel. What if we came into work and refused to share our faith because we didn’t think others deserved eternal life as much as we do? That person may need to question whether they truly follow the gospel they claim to believe.
This unselfish and compassionate love will play itself out in all areas of our businesses. It may build trust and bolster stronger relationships, help bring patience in difficult situations, and even play itself out financially in how we support our employees.
Whatever the product of bringing our faith to work may be, to fully support our employees, we have to see them as more than positions and titles, but as people in need of a Savior.
Join the movement of people around the world who are bringing Christ into their workplace!
