Equal or Fair

Which is more important, fairness or equality?

‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” 8When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’ - Matthew 20:1-16

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus tells a parable about equality.  Everyone who came to work regardless of when they started, got the same pay.  They were treated equally.

But those who worked more felt it wasn't fair.

The question this raises for me is what happens on the next day?

Do the workers waiting early in the day want to take the job, or will they want to wait?

The key here, I think, is that the ones who were hired late in the day had been waiting all day for a chance to work.  They had not chosen to come out late.

So, all who sought work got it, and all were treated equally.

That is how it is with God, but how can it work with us?

Perhaps it is as simple as this.  Those who show a willingness to work get the opportunity.  That sounds fair, doesn't it?

When we seek equality we may also want to seek fairness, though as the parable shows, everyone may not see fairness the same way.

It is a challenge.  And it is one worth tackling.

More to come...