Show Don't Tell: Matthew 20:1-16

Instead of saying "Jesus told the parable of the vineyard workers," count the hours. A landowner goes out early morning to hire workers—agrees on a denarius for the day. He goes out again at 9 AM, noon, 3 PM, 5 PM—each time finding workers standing idle, hiring them too. Evening comes. He pays the last first—a full denarius. Those who worked all day expect more. They get a denarius too. They grumble: "These who were hired last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day." The owner responds: "I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?" The last will be first, and the first will be last.