South Africans are very familiar with groups of workers gathered at street corners or other strategic places, waiting and hoping for someone to come along and hire them. I have even seen places where such groups of individuals carry placards advertising their trade or skills. They hope a potential employer will seek them out in the crowd and
approach them directly. Can you picture this?
We know that working in a vineyard is labour-intensive. As Jesus told his story, he suggested that the landowner had employed everyone who had gathered early in the morning. However, he needed more labour, so he went out at about nine, at noon, and again at about three in the afternoon, each time employing more workers.
He offered to pay them ‘whatever is right’. They accepted and went to work.
Perhaps word had gotten around, or the work-seekers in the story knew the landowner and trusted that he would be fair in his rewards. They did not hesitate to accept the job offered, even later in the day. Perhaps a third, half a day’s wages, or even just a small amount, would have been a
welcome relief for their families. They accepted the jobs, trusting a fair return for their labour.
As we reflect on the situation with unemployment in our own country, we can only imagine that each worker had arrived at the meeting point full of hope that someone would at least allow them to earn a little that day. Their hope and perseverance had paid off, and
they, too, could set out to work alongside the others full of energy and joy.
As God’s child, do you see your call to Kingdom work and your regular job as flowing into one another and complimenting each other?
Are you thankful for and value your employment and tackle your daily tasks enthusiastically and joyfully, realising that it is all a gift from God?
Do you readily stand by to be called to tasks in God’s Kingdom, or are you inclined to stand back?
Reflections by Reginald
Venter
