In this parable about the kingdom of heaven, the vineyard owner pays his workers the same amount, whether they worked from the beginning of the day or started at later hours. Questioned, the owner retorted, “Have I been unjust? I have paid you the day’s wage I promised? It is my decision with my own money!”
In the same way God will reward us as he wishes, whether we have served him all our life or only for part of my life. His generous reward of sharing life with him in heaven is freely his to give, when to give and to whom to give. No one is really entitled to heaven and God’s rewards.
Two things are important: that we do our work for God and that we are ready for him when he comes to demand an accounting on how we have done our work in life.
We thank God for his goodness to us, completely out of his liberality, and live and pray so as to receive his reward for all eternity