Grace Isn’t Fair
Imagine This
Early one morning, a homeowner drives to the Home Depot parking lot. A group of day laborers stands around, hoping for work. He hires a few of them to help build a fence and agrees to pay a full day’s wage. They accept and head out, grateful to have work.
Later that morning, the homeowner realizes he needs more help, so he goes back and hires a few more workers, promising to pay what is right. He does the same thing in the afternoon, and again late in the day, just an hour before quitting time. Some workers barely break a sweat.
When the fence is finished, the homeowner gathers everyone to get paid. He starts with the workers who only worked an hour and gives them a full day’s wage. The workers who started early notice this and quietly expect more.
But when it is their turn, they receive the same amount. They protest. “That’s not fair. We worked all day in the heat.” The homeowner replies calmly, “I paid you exactly what we agreed on. Why are you upset because I chose to be generous to others?”
Then he asks a question that cuts deeper. “Do you begrudge my kindness?” The issue is not wages. It is comparison.
Read Together
Read Matthew 20:1–16 together.
As you read, pay attention to why Jesus tells this parable and what question it is meant to answer.
Scripture Overview
Just before Jesus tells this story, Peter asks a question. He reminds Jesus that the disciples have left everything to follow Him and asks, “What then will we receive?” It is a natural question, but it carries an assumption. Peter is thinking in terms of earning.
Jesus responds by promising rewards far greater than anything the disciples have given up. Then He tells this parable to reset the math. What God gives is not a paycheck. It is an inheritance. Grace is not calculated by effort or sacrifice. It is given freely, and it is always more than we could earn.
The danger Jesus exposes is not obedience, but comparison. When we start measuring God’s grace, we stop enjoying it.
Talk About It
Why does Peter’s question make sense, yet still miss something important?
When do we start thinking about faith as something we earn?
How does comparison change how grace feels?
Why is what God gives always greater than what we give up?
Practice This Week
This week, notice when you think in terms of earning with God. When it happens, pause and remind yourself what God has already promised you that cannot be measured or repaid. Then thank Him for the gift, not the return. Grace grows when we stop counting.
Prayer
God, thank You for giving us more than we could ever earn. Forgive us for comparing ourselves to others. Help us trust Your generosity and rest in Your grace. Teach us to receive with gratitude and live with joy.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
