An Hour's Wage
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Straight to the Cross
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Have you noticed? Our assistant editor not only
edits, but she writes, too. We're excited to add
"Oliver's Twist" to the weekly offering. And
there's more to come!
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COLUMN: Oliver's Twist
An Hour's Wage
by Barbara Oliver
It was late. He had arrived early that morning,
before anyone else. It was just a spot in the
road, indistinguishable from any other. But soon
it was crowded with men.
The young ones were snatched up first. Off to the
vineyards they went, secure in their strength and
good fortune. They would earn their wages that
day, for the work was difficult, and the sun was
already hot.
One by one, they were carted off, until only a few
were left: the older ones, the weaker ones. He
stood among them, his hopes fading with the day.
He knew he should just go home. But how could he
face his family? How could he go home without
money for food?
Five o'clock. Feeling defeated, he started toward
home when the landowner returned. He approached
the few stragglers. "Why have you been standing
here idle all day long?" "Because no one hired
us." "You too go into the vineyard." He ran to the
wagon and climbed in with the rest.
Barely an hour later, the landowner ordered them
to line up for their pay, the last man first. He
took his place at the front of the line. His hand
trembled as he waited for the few cents he would
receive. He tried not to feel disappointed. Would
it be enough to pay for a sparse evening meal?
Amazed, he watched as the landowner placed a whole
denarius in his hand. He stood transfixed until
the man behind pushed him out of the way. Tears
filled his eyes. This couldn't be! His thoughts
were echoed by an angry voice.
"What is going on here?" shouted one of the hired
men. "These last men have worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us who have borne
the burden and the scorching heat of the day."
The landowner replied, "Friend, I am doing you no
wrong; did you not agree with me for a
denarius? ... is it not lawful for me to do what I
wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious
because I am generous?" (Read Matthew 20:1-16.)
It was late. He knew he should have done this
before time had made an old man out of him. His
shoulders were stooped with age and the burdens of
a life faced alone. What good was he to God now?
How could he be forgiven at this late date?
He stepped into the aisle.
He could feel their eyes on him. How could these
people forgive him? They knew him! They were the
ones he had ridiculed. They were the ones he had
called hypocrites! He felt as if he would drown in
guilt and shame before he ever reached the water.
Fear gripped him. No! He would not let pride keep
him from obeying. He wanted to be forgiven. He
wanted to turn his life around, with God's help.
He couldn't face the short number of days ahead
without a Savior. He had wasted too many years on
earth. He would not waste his eternity.
At the water's edge, his whole life flashed before
him. He confessed Jesus, with tears, as he was
lowered into that grave of water. He arose. He
turned to face his new family and saw their
smiles, their tears of joy. What a generous God,
to accept him at the eleventh hour!
His thoughts were echoed by the preacher's voice,
"Now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the
day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).
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