Matthew 20:1-16

1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the
morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4 and he said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o'clock, he did the same. 6 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?' 7 They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard.' 8 When 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.' 9 When those hired about five o'clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 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.' 13 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? 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Materials: (note that this is for use with 3 church leaders--adjust as needed.) one envelope with 6 slips of paper, each saying "Jesus Loves Me", Two envelopes with 3 slips of paper each, each on saying "Jesus Loves Me", Three envelopes with 2 slips of paper each, each one saying "Jesus Loves Me".  (You can also prepare slips for each child if you like.)

(Note that in the message below, you will want to start with the pastor who has been at the church the longest.  You can also enlist an accolyte, organist, etc.  Be sure to let them know ahead of time what you are planning.  )

Message:  Good Morning!  How are you all doing today?  I'm glad you came up this morning because I want you to help me with something.  I've been thinking that our pastors do a lot for the church and I was thinking we should give them some payment for their time this morning.  Let's start with Pastor Tom.  Tom, how long have you been here?  (Tom answers 15 years).   Does that sound like a lot to you kids?  Has any of you turned 15 years old yet?  No?  Well, I think we should give Tom, a lot this morning, so let's give him 3 of these envelopes.  (You can ask a child to bring the envelope to the pastor.)

How about you Pastor Keith?  How long have you been here?  (Pastor Keith answers 10 years).  Well, what do you kids think?  Is that less than Pastor Tom?  You're right, it is less time--but it is still a lot of time isn't it.  I'm thinking we should give Tom 2 envelopes. Does that sound fair to you?  Okay, let's do that.  (Pick one of the children and ask them to  think 2 envelopes would be fair?  Yes?  Let's give him two.

Nicole is our accolyte today.  Nicole, have you been serving as an accoltye for 15 years?  (No)  10 years? (No) How long have you been an accolyte?  (1 year).  Well, kids, Nicole is doing a good job but she hasn't been here as long as the pastors, so I think one envelope sounds fair, don't you?

I think we did a good job handing out those envelopes, but I'm curious about what is in them, aren't you?  Let's ask Nicole how many papers she had in her envelope (Nicole answers "6").  That's a lot isn't it?  How many do you think Pastor Keith has? He has more envelopes than Nicole.  Pastor Keith, can you tell us how many you have.  (He answers "6").  Hmmm.  that's interesting.  How about you Pastor Tom, you had the most envelopes, how many slips of paper do you have.  (He answers "6".)

Well, isn't that something!  They all have the same amount after all.   Pastor Keith, what's written on those papers? (He answers "Jesus Loves Me").  That explains it!  Jesus doesn't give us his love based on how old we are , or how years we have come to church, or even on how good we are.  Jesus loves us all the same.  And even though you are very small and are young, Jesus loves you just as much as he loves Pastor Keith and Pastor Tom and everyone else here.

Let's say a prayer about that:  Repeat after me:
Dear Jesus,

We thank you for loving us all the same.  Help us to love each other the way you love us.  Amen