Grumbling at Generosity

In a famous study, two monkeys performed a simple task, handing a rock to their caretaker. They then received a reward. When the two monkeys received the same reward, they would complete the task over and over. But when one monkey saw the other received a more desirable reward such as a grape when he received only a piece of cucumber, that monkey would become furious, throwing back any pieces of cucumber he received and rattling his cage in protest. Studies have found the same reaction in chimpanzees, dogs, and even birds.

We hardly need studies to know humans respond much the same. And we see that displayed in Jesus’ parable. Early in the story, workers agree to a day’s work for a typical day’s wage, a denarius. It is an arrangement with which they seem content, likely one that they would accept over and over. But that changed at the end of the day when the owner also paid those who had come later with a denarius. The expectations of those who came earlier then rose; since they worked more, they believed surely they would receive more. When they did not, they were unhappy with their payment and grumbled at the owner’s generosity (v. 11).

An interesting aspect of this story is that the landowner could have reduced the likelihood of this conflict simply by changing the order of payments. If those who came earlier in the day were paid and then departed, they would be unlikely to see the reward that offended them. But perhaps the point is that we need to see such things to recognize that the generosity of God is responsible not only for the rewards of those who come late but even for those who arrived at the break of day.

Pray with Us

The IT Support Center team is always there to help Moody students and staff with computer issues. We are grateful for this team’s helpful, cheerful, Christlike attitude and ask that you pray for Erubey Bautista, James Bachelder, Jason Floyd, and Luke Shumate.