Take what is yours and go. But I want to pay this last one as much as I paid you.
The Lord now clearly shows his authority and mercy. His words mean that he has fulfilled his promise, and that worker has received his portion. Here there is also a gentle rebuke: if that worker’s heart does not rejoice in the good that has been done, he may leave without complaining, because he has been deprived of nothing. Next, in saying, “But I want to give to this last one as I give to you,” the Lord emphasizes his rightful authority in grace. In the same way, God is not indebted to anyone, and his goodness is measured not by merit, but by will and mercy. He is free to give an equal reward both to those who came early and to those who came late. This word teaches that when the Lord gives another the same as he gives you, it is not your loss, but the expression of his goodness. In other words, if the master were to give to everyone by human calculations, in exact proportion, that would be considered simply justice. But in this case he gives more: justice plus a gift, which is already grace and flows from his free will. The worker who has justly received his portion has no reason to complain about justice; the rest does not concern him, it is already the householder’s matter. In the same way God’s justice works, since he is all-knowing, almighty, and rules over every detail. Therefore we cannot call into question the justice and wisdom of his deeds.