AN HONEST WAGE

Matthew 20:1-15

INTRODUCTION

a. Labor Day is a holiday set aside to celebrate and honor working people. Inaugurated in 1882 by the Knights of Labor, it is now a legal holiday observed on the first Monday in September in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

b. It is the traditional end of summer and beginning of school

c. The Labor movement in America has secured many work place improvements and job security and wage increases for workers

1. At a time when owners ran sweat shops the need to organize was strong and served its purpose

2. The union's most powerful weapon is the "Strike"

d. Today the most talked about strike is in Major League Baseball

1. Harry Carey said it best - "The players and owners are making more money than ever and the solution to this situation is to strike"

e. Today I want us to celebrate work and to look at what the Bible says

I. THE MASTER TELLS A STORY

a. Retell the parable

b. The Workers

1. Marketplace was much like our employment offices

2. All there wanted work and came with their tools and waited

3. Those who waited until late afternoon really wanted work

c. The Owner

1. Hired some and needed more

2. Went back at noon and late afternoon

d. The Agreements

1. Early workers demanded a contract and got it

2. Late workers worked and trusted the owner's generosity

e. The Disagreements

1. Those with a contract felt they had been cheated but they got what they contracted for

a. Yesterday - Sterling Sharpe of Green Bay walked out

2. Those who trusted the master's generosity and compassion were not disappointed

II. LESSONS FROM THE STORY

a. First is a warning to believers

1. Because you came to Christ before another does not give you special standing and blessing from God

2. All who come early or late are precious to God

3. Some long time church members practically think the church belongs to them and they can set its policies - They resent the intrusion of new people or generations with new ways or ideas

b. Second is of the Master's acceptance

1. No matter when a person enters the kingdom - youth, mid-life or in later years they are equally important to God

2. Rabbis had a saying. "Some enter the kingdom in an hour, others hardly enter it in a lifetime."

3. Picture of the holy city in Revelation has 12 gates

a. Gates to the east - facing the dawn for those who enter early in life

b. Gates to the west - facing the setting sun - for those to enter late in life

c. Third is of the Master's compassion

1. Nothing more tragic than unemployment - these men stood each day with tools ready waiting to be hired - so can feed family

2. As the day passed the compassion of the Master compelled him to give them work to do

3. He rewarded all with a days wage - all had families to feed

d. Fourth is the Master's Generosity

1. All did not do same work but received the same pay

2. Two lessons

a. All service is same to God - Not amount but attitude

1. Christmas bonus - compared to gift from child

b. God always gives out of grace - We can never earn it

e. The final and supreme lesson is the point of work is the spirit in which it is done

1. Workers are in two groups

a. Those who demanded a contract - got exactly what asked and tied hands of master to do more

b. Those who trusted the master's generosity to reward

2. Those who demand will always be disappointed

3. Those who trust will never be disappointed - Larry Bird

III. COMMUNION

a. How will you come to this table today

SHARE THE BREAD

SHARE THE CUP

WHAT DECISION DID YOU MAKE THIS MORNING

WHY NOT MAKE IT PUBLIC

BOW IN PRAYER

HYMN # 201 "ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOR LEADS ME