Matthew 20:1-16... yes, please actually read it...
According to Jesus, the Kingdom of God values people over profit, and goes beyond "fairness" when it comes to what people need.
Please note that those who have not been hired... those left behind in employment, were provided for...
Please note that the owner (employer) was MORE THAN fair with ALL of them... the ones who had worked the day got the days wage, but those who came later still needed to feed their families, and so they were given what they needed for their families as well. When challenged by those who wanted more, the owner of the vineyard (God), stated boldly that they should not question the generosity shown. Oh yes, and "the last shall be first and the first, last."
Kingdom Values could help us with labor today.
God wants us to be beyond fair with those who need to feed their families.
If we were to live the Kingdom Values Jesus teaches us in this parable and elsewhere...
We would not destroy the vineyard as our sustainer of life by polluting, wasting or destroying it...
Employers would not lay off people in tough times, but take less profit willingly for the sake of
making sure everyone could feed their families...
CEO's would not value making 300x what someone in labor makes, but make sure they had a
fair wage...
We would create jobs in renewable energy, sustainable fields and life-affirming arenas that benefit all
people...
We would pay people a living wage with benefits, regardless of what their job is... because they
NEED it...
We would make different choices... not wanting to get more for our selves, or hoard stockpiles of
what we have while others are left in need, and not keeping others from getting what they need
would be among our values...
So, where are the Christian employers? Where are the business leaders who want to follow Jesus' teachings and example? Where are the Christian politicians who want to value what Jesus valued in the laws they write, decisions they make and directions they take? Where are the Christian preachers who demand Kingdom Values for the sake of ALL their flocks? Where are the Christian voters who insist on Jesus' way? Where are the Christian citizens who rise up to demand these things for ALL, who are God's children and therefore our brothers and sisters? Where?
I am certain of two things:
Kingdom Values do not just apply to "pie in the sky when we die." They have EVERYTHING to do
with labor and management, politics and economics.
With Jesus, it is not "nothing person; just business." We are talking about peoples' lives... people whom
Jesus loves and with whom we are COMMANDED to live Agape Love.
Work with Justice. Work for Justice. You will have peace.
Pastor Jamie
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