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AN AMAZING FACT: The earliest denarius coins showed up in 269 B.C., but the Romans began producing a standardized silver denarius of 4.5 grams in 211 B.C. The name “denarius” stems from a Latin word meaning “containing ten.” The denarius was the equivalent of 10 “assarius,” which was made of bronze or copper.
In Jesus’ parable of the vineyard laborers, all the workers were paid equally at the end of the day. This created a problem in the minds of the men who had been sweating long hours in the sun. They thought the men who worked fewer hours didn’t deserve as much pay.
By human standards, the long-day workers had a point. But the kingdom of God doesn’t work that way. No one can really “earn” anything. No one is given salvation because he or she has done something to deserve it. It’s a free gift, and it’s offered equally to all. A person who has just come to Christ has eternal life as completely as someone who’s been in the church all his life.
God doesn’t treat any of us as our sins deserve. If He did, there would be no one left to save. Instead, He lovingly washes us in Christ’s blood, covers us with His righteousness, and gives us the eternal gift none of us deserve. That’s something for which we can all be thankful.
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
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.
Matthew 20:1And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 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.
Matthew 20:9-12
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