Article July 14, 1956 Issue

THE DIVINE ECONOMY

OLIVE THOMPSON

IN his parable of the laborers in the vineyard, related in the twentieth chapter of Matthew, Christ Jesus revealed a higher and more spiritual concept of employment and its reward than that to which mortals are accustomed. The writer had read this story a number of times before its meaning began to appear. Interpreting it from a literal and human sense of justice, she wondered why it was right for the employer, who had hired some laborers early in the day, some later, and some at "the eleventh hour," to give to each the same payment when evening came.

After a time it occurred to her that Jesus had begun this parable, like several of the others, by likening the kingdom of heaven to the illustration which followed. The economy which is set forth therein would naturally, she then realized, be a divine, or heavenly, rather than a human economy, and the parable should bring to us a clearer understanding of this divine economy and its laws. Aware that there is a lesson for each of us and for every period of time in these Bible illustrations, she went back to read the parable again in a new light.

In the preceding chapter we read that Jesus had answered the young man who asked how he might have eternal life by advising him to give his wealth to the poor and follow him. Prompted by the conversation which followed this discussion, Peter said (Matt. 19:27), "Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have there-fore?" In reply, Jesus promised, "Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold." Then, from the well of his deep understanding of God, he presented through the parable of the vineyard a picture of the impartial love and ever-available opportunity which await every laborer in the Father's vineyard.

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