What's It All For - 3 of 3?

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” (Matthew 20:1-16)

By the worlds standards, the landowner may appear unfair, paying the people he hired late in the day the same amount he paid the ones hired early in the day.  But as the parable concludes, "Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?"   God can do whatever he wants because He is God.  But there is also a reason behind what He does.  The morning laborers represent the Jews, the rest "non-Jews".  The Jews had a contract of laws and commandments with God, "had agreed with the laborers".  We who are non-Jews have received abundant grace and mercy: Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, ... (Romans 3:28-29)

All of us have our age, day and time that we have of will accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and that age, day or time is different for each of us.  But thank God that each of us will receive a reward for what we do for Him while we're here.  Let us not be mistaken, the parable is not speaking of working to receive salvation, because salvation is a gift.  But it is speaking of rewards: “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. (Revelation 22:12) Therefore, Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:26) Let's not worry about God being "fair" or not, let''s just thank Him for showing mercy towards each of us, because we don't deserve it!