In essence, this parable is identical to the Prodigal Son parable, minus the heightened drama of family relationships. In both parables, justice is replaced by generosity. Some, those who have labored all day and the elder son, see this generosity as injustice. The landowner and father, however, see no injustice at all. The idea that the long suffering elder son and diligent workers have somehow earned their inheritance/wage is shown for the sham that it is. As Martin Luther supposedly wrote as he lay dying, “we are all beggars.” The divine economy of love and grace is based on abundance rather than scarcity. In the end there is no payment or repayment but only gift.
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