Rev. Dr. Abe Smith | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide.

Research shows, as children, we naturally long for equality in that we want everyone to have the same. But as we grow older, that instinct often shifts toward self-interest, and our concept of “fairness” is defined by what benefits us. This way of thinking shows up in Peter’s question to Jesus in Matthew 19:27: “What’s in it for us?”

In response, Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16), where each worker receives the same wage regardless of how long they labored. What initially feels unfair exposes something deeper within us: a resentment and resistance to generosity.

Through this story, Jesus reframes the conversation. The kingdom of God is not built on fairness but on grace. If God operated strictly on fairness, giving each of us exactly what we deserve, none of us would stand. Instead, God is extravagantly generous by offering love, forgiveness, and new life to all, regardless of timing or merit.

With an honest examination of our own lives, we see how quickly we fall into judgment and comparison. Yet as followers of Christ, we are invited into a different way of living that is shaped by gratitude, humility, and grace. Following Jesus is not about calculating what we gain but about receiving a love so generous that it transforms our lives completely.