In the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), God’s unequaled generosity is on display. Workers that labored from the morning were paid the same as those who started work late in the day. The group that worked all day grumbled but God reminded them that he did not cheat them of their promised wage; instead, God chose to be generous to the ones who were hired last. So why would God give the same pay to those who worked less hours? God is gracious, loving and just. Perhaps they were smaller in stature or had some disabilities. Maybe they were discriminated in some way. God is a God of justice so he gave them an opportunity to work and honor their dignity as people. If people have an opportunity to work, their self-respect increases and their humanity is validated because they are included in the economic realm. This is Biblical justice, raising up the value of the human person by creating opportunities to grow and contribute to society. Notice that God did not act like a political socialist and take from the earnings of the workers who started early in the day to reward those who started later in the day. God does not act like Robin Hood by taking from the rightful gains of some to reward the disadvantaged. God gave from his own resources, not from others who rightfully worked hard to earn their keep.
Socialism is Not Justice
