God is very generous; but God's people are sometimes envious of His big-heartedness to others. Jesus told a parable about the kingdom of heaven, likening it to a vineyard with manual labourers. The men hired at the beginning of the day agreed a fixed wage, but later additions to the workforce were only promised a 'fair wage' (Matthew 20:4). However things did not turn out as expected.
 
When their money was handed out at the end of the day, the latecomers were given the same as the fixed wage for a whole day. Those who had worked longer expected more money – despite agreeing the wage. They were very disappointed when they only got what had been decided. So they started to complain. They thought it was unfair on them. After all, they had worked much harder. They felt it was a moral injustice.
 
They could not see that the landowner had the right to do whatever he chose. He had offered a standard 'day’s wages' and if he was willing to give that to the men who had only worked for one hour, why should he not? It was certainly a 'fair wage'; the men who had been hired at the end of the day could not complain … neither should the others because they received what was agreed. Jesus was teaching that the 'faithful Jewish nation' had no right to exclude others from the rewards of His kingdom. He could be generous to whoever He wanted to bless.
 
Envy is a wicked motivator and should have no place among God’s people. But all too often, the older church members resent the blessings which young or new believers receive. Jesus was teaching His trainee apostles that they should not let people in the churches demand their rights to have things the way they want, or be envious of God's kindness to people who do not seem to have deserved it. We can never earn our salvation or any reward as we serve the Lord; His reward is a free gift to those who freely offer themselves to Him. Often those who seem most undeserving will be the most grateful, while those who get their 'rights' are arrogant. It is time to recognise the extreme grace of God to us and learn to praise Him for even greater grace to others.