Article May 11, 1957 Issue

NO FIRST OR LAST IN GOD'S SIGHT

MELBA NEVADA ADAMS

Christ Jesus used many parables to show us the nature of the kingdom of heaven. One such parable in Matthew commences with these words (20:1): "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard."

Jesus goes on to tell us that the owner of the vineyard went out again at the third hour and again at the sixth and ninth hours and hired more workers. About the eleventh hour he hired still more. When time for settlement came, those who had gone to work first were paid exactly the same amount as those who had started at the eleventh hour. Those who had worked all day complained when they saw that those hired last were given as much as they. The good-man of the house answered one of them (verses 14, 15): "Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?"

For years the writer had been inclined to sympathize with those workers who felt abused because the latecomers received as much as they who had labored since early morning. Then one day as she pondered this parable, the truth dawned on her that Jesus was indeed, even as he said, teaching his followers the nature of the kingdom of heaven and the nature of God, divine Love. The Master's constant theme in this story and in all his words and works was the infinity of good, the all-inclusiveness of Love knowing nought but its own blessedness, now and forever impartially giving all good to each one, irrespective of time or matter.

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