The Penny?

Matthew 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.

[2] And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

[3] And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

[4] And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

[5] Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

[6] And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

[7] They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

[8] So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

[9] And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

[10] But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

[11] And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

[12] Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

[13] But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

[14] Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

[15] Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

[16] So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

This is an interesting parable in that everyone who performed the work in the vineyard all received the same wages no matter at what hour they were hired... A penny!

So what actually does this teach... And does it teach Salvation?... If it does... whose view Arminian or Calvinist and why IYHO!... Or is it talking about something entirely different? Brother Glen

 

That is all interesting but what do you do with verse sixteen... and why are many called but few chosen? I'm somewhat surprised by some who are Calvinist... If God calls do you not answer being of the elect?... If you do not answer you were not called?... Can it be proven by scripture that God not only calls his children but changes their cold and stony heart to a heart of flesh to respond to that call?... Not only that he opens their eyes to see and their ears to hear and none can resist his call!... Now as far as the joy of their Salvation people resist that work everyday not being able to follow the law to a jot and a tittle for the law can never save in an eternal sense and was never meant to be the vehicle for salvation... God not only calls but God qualifies those he has called them being quickened into new life by his Holy Spirit according to Romans 8:28-30... The scripture state my word shall not return unto me again void but shall accomplish all I send it to do... Is not the calling of God sure... many are called... and if it is why are a few chosen and who are they if Heaven will be full and all Gods children will be saved?... Brother Glen

[ December 24, 2002, 08:19 PM: Message edited by: tyndale1946 ]