And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle,

and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? Matthew 20:6

          The man in Jesus’ story owned a vineyard and hired men at different times of the day, about 9 am, noon, 3 pm and 5pm (or the eleventh hour).

        The landowner asks why they’ve been there all day. There’s a Home Depot on the way to my son’s school. In the morning I see laborers there. By 2:30 when I go by again the area is clear. The ones who were not hired do not stand around doing nothing. They leave the area in other pursuits. Perhaps there are chores to be done at home or they have kids of their own to pick up.

       But in the parable the men stay and whatever the reason for being here they were sent to the vineyard to work. An hour later everyone received a full days’ wages. I’m sure this thrilled them. Only the reaction of those who worked all day is recorded. They also received a day’s wages and complained. They expected more but got what they agreed to. The point of the story was that it was the vineyard owner’s decision. He paid fairly those who had worked all day and graciously those who had worked an hour.

     We all have seasons of idleness when it seems we are just here without purpose. Still we must be prepared to work when the Vineyard Owner calls us so I will wait here where He can find me. While waiting I can do things to improve my work. I can learn, I can study the word, I can network.

       While you are here, for as long as you are here be preparing for work.