In the parable of the labourers in the vineyard we see the extraordinary generosity and compassion of God (Matthew 20:1-16). There is great tragedy in unemployment, the loss of work, and the inability to earn enough to live and support oneself or one’s family. In Jesus’ times labourers had to wait each day in the marketplace until someone hired them for a day’s job. No work that day usually meant no food on the family table. The labourers who worked all day and received their payment complain that the master pays the late afternoon labourers the same wage. The master, undoubtedly, hired them in the late afternoon so they wouldn’t go home pay-less and hungry. God is generous in opening the doors of his kingdom to all who will enter, both those who have laboured a life-time for him and those who come at the last hour. While the reward is the same, the motive for one’s labour can make all the difference. Some work only for reward. They will only put in as much effort as they think they will get back. Others labour out of love and joy for the opportunity to work and to serve others. The Lord Jesus calls