There was a certain man who had acquired great wealth through various products that his company had manufactured. These products were the best of their kind, yet not everyone appreciated the design, care, and quality that the man put into all his products. Nevertheless, to those who did see, and cared, they found products that were unlike any other in the world, and they rejoiced in how helpful these products were to their daily lives.
A New Factory
One day the man decided to build a new factory in another country which would allow him to bring his products to a new region. After careful design, planning, and construction, the new factory was completed.
The man had a reputation for being very kind and generous. As a result of his reputation, many workers lined up to receive jobs. The man found work for all that were interested and willing to work. He turned no person away, though some turned away on their own. Every man that wanted a job was given some position in the factory.
However, there were conditions. All the workers were made aware of the conditions and all had to agree to the conditions before they were given their place of employment.
The conditions were a very clear and very exact set of detailed rules that had to be followed… no exceptions. Some rules applied to all workers in the factory while other rules were applicable only to workers in specific positions.
The man carefully and thoughtfully explained to each worker the reasons for the rules. His company had a reputation for making only the very best of products. To make such products, every person in the factory had to follow the rules exactly as they were given, no exceptions. If even one rule was ignored or missed then the quality of the products that were to be produced by the factory would be compromised.
The man also explained that there would be consequences for violating the rules. The rules were very clear, and they were posted all around the factory as reminders for the workers. No worker could have an excuse for not knowing what the rules of his position were. If any worker purposely disregarded even a single rule, he would be terminated and no longer able to work in the factory.
Many workers agreed to the conditions. Those that did were hired, the factory was opened, and the work began. As time went on some workers were terminated as a result of disregarding the rules. After a few of these events occurred, the other workers realized that the man really was serious about his rules. Thus they all strove hard to keep the rules.
Two Classes of Workers
Eventually, two classes of workers were formed:
There were some workers that joyfully came to work and delighted in the factory rules. They saw that in keeping to these rules that only the very best products were produced by the factory. They were honored to be a part of such a work and willingly desired to uphold the factory’s reputation for making such products.
Other workers came to work every day, but they did not delight in the rules. They murmured and complained and had hostility in their hearts toward the rules. Yet, they continued to follow the rules out of fear of losing their jobs.
Both classes of workers professed loyalty to the factory and to the man, yet the motivation in their hearts was very different.
The Son
Many years went by, and the factory continued operating and making only the very best of products in the land. Both classes of workers came to work day after day and did their parts to produce these products.
One day, an announcement was made in the factory that changes were coming. This factory had been selected to be a very special factory that would be set apart from all the man’s other factories around the world. This factory would soon be placed under the management of the man’s son.
The man had been training and preparing his son for years to eventually take over the business, and now he was ready for the next step. He would be placed in charge of one of the factories and given the responsibilities of running it just as the man had, to make only the very best of products.
The son started his position and let the workers know about a few things that would be different going forward. The quality of products produced by the factory would not be reduced. In fact, after careful examination, the son concluded that the quality of the products could actually be increased. The son observed that despite the very best efforts of the workers, sometimes the rules were broken and the products, although the best in the world, were still not quite as good as they could be.
Expressions of concern could be seen across the workforce as the son made this announcement. Yet, the son quickly added that the workers need not be concerned. Going forward, the workers would no longer be held individually accountable before the man regarding the quality of their work, but rather the son would represent them himself.
He continued and stated that the burden for the quality of the products produced by the factory would be placed squarely upon his shoulders. If the quality of the products dropped then he would bear the responsibility for that with his father. Yet, he was confident that no such thing would happen. He consoled the workers in saying that if they failed at any time with any one of the rules, that he would quickly step in and make the needed corrections to the process to ensure that the products would still be produced at the new, higher standard.
The workers all expressed a sigh of relief in knowing that although the rules hadn’t changed, and there was now a higher standard, that the son would personally help them if they ever fell short.
Two Classes of Workers Revisited
Yet again, many years passed and the factory continue producing only the very best products in the land. Not only this, but just as the son had desired, the quality of the products had actually increased closer to the point of perfection. True to his word, this standard of perfection was achieved as a result of the son personally jumping in and helping whenever a rule was missed or broken.
There were also changes that developed within the hearts of the two classes of workers:
The disgruntled class of workers, who murmured and complained, still continued to murmur. They didn’t like the son, they hated him. Every time they would do something wrong, the son would lovingly jump in and help to make the needed corrections before the quality of the product was diminished. Yet, instead of having gratitude toward the son, they despised him and looked at his efforts as a statement of something negative against their work. They were showing up to work every day after all, just as they had been for many years, couldn’t the same products they were producing be good enough without their faults having to be brought to their attention?
Next, the workers who performed their work with great joy now completed their work with an even greater joy than they thought they could ever have. Just as they loved the man and delighted in his rules, they now loved the son immensely and delighted in him as their leader. They were so thankful for the son’s willingness to represent them before the man, thus covering any fault that they may have had in their work. Whenever they were struggling with a task or to keep up with a rule, they would immediately cry out to the son for help. The son would then rush over and give them aid, just in time, so that a rule would not be broken and the quality of the products would not be diminished. On occasion, they would break a rule but would quickly call the son over to admit their fault. He would then make the needed corrections and remind them of his care for them. As these workers learned more of the son’s love for them and to rely more and more fully upon him, the frequency in which they broke a rule became less and less.
The Third Worker Class
Before the son arrived in the factory there were two classes of workers. However, after the son’s arrival a third class developed that was comprised of workers from both of the other classes.
After years of observing how the son would always jump in to correct any problems before the quality of the products diminished, some workers started to relax their standards. They would come in late or leave early with regularity. Some days, they wouldn’t even show up whenever they had something else to do that they considered to be of greater importance. Oftentimes they would gather around and talk while others were hard at work.
While at work, they no longer paid too much attention to the rules. Sure, they would keep them when they could, but they wouldn’t go out of their way to keep them if it was inconvenient for them. There were also some rules that they just considered unreasonable now. In such cases they decided not to bother keeping any of those rules at all, but rather rely upon the son’s efforts to make up the difference.
They would often see the son dashing around the factory and making adjustments and corrections to things that were failing as a result of their negligence. Yet, no matter how much they neglected the rules, the son always managed to ensure that the products still came out perfectly.
If they were ever questioned by any of the workers from the other two classes regarding why they were slacking off so much, they would simply point to the son and say: “We really don’t need to keep these rules any more… now that the son is here, he takes care of it for us. We just need to show up when we can and do what we can, but the rules are only for the son now. Since he represents us, we are safe in our positions, you guys are working way too hard, and you could enjoy life much more if you just slowed down and let the son pick up the slack. After all, he’s a far better worker than all of us combined as it is!”
Character
Nobody was sure when the son ever went home. He was always there when the first worker arrived in the morning and he was always there when the last worker left for the day, no matter how late into the night they stayed. He was never sick and never appeared to be tired.
From time to time some workers were perplexed and others just amazed by the countenance of the son. Despite the tremendous burden that he was surely carrying, they reasoned, he never lost his temper, he never complained, he always did his work joyfully, and was quick to encourage each of them when they were down.
This character, exhibited by the son had a significant impact on the workers:
To the disgruntled workers it caused their disdain for him to grow. The light of his countenance only highlighted their own flaws and this made them uncomfortable.
To the joyful workers it caused their love for him to grow. They would frequently ask him to help them and to teach them to be more like him in their keeping of the rules, in their work, in their attitudes, and in their treatment of others, which he happily did.
To the workers that were lazy or indifferent, it gave them a false sense of confidence. When they saw how unfazed the son was by their neglect of the rules and how patient and loving he was to all of the workers day after day, they reasoned with themselves that he was not the least bit bothered by their negligence toward the rules. Therefore, they convinced themselves that they must be right in their theory that the rules are no longer binding, and that the son was happy just to have them in the factory with him.
Factory Closing
Then one day, another announcement came which startled the workers. The son announced that the factory would be shutting down. Yet he and his father wanted to make sure that every worker was taken care of and that they were properly rewarded for their years of service.
The son described that since the very first day of his arrival at the factory, helpers of his had been observing and documenting the performance of every worker with great detail and accuracy. The heart and motivation of each worker would then be the basis for what they would receive or not on the final day when the factory would close.
He had been working with his father, for a long time now, in preparation for this event. Every worker had been evaluated. Every motivation carefully looked at. Now the time had come to divide the workers and to give to each according to their hearts and their labors.
This statement aroused a variety of emotions in the workers:
The disgruntled workers were filled with dread and regret for all their years of complaining. It was too late now to make course corrections. Everything about their work had been logged. They knew what was in their heart and there was no hiding it.
The joyful workers were simply delighted that something might be given. They expected nothing and desired nothing. As the years went by, their real motivation for coming to work and following the rules was simply to please the son, to work alongside him, and to express their love for him. He had after all, first expressed a great love for them. They desired and expected nothing else, but simply considered that they were doing that which was their duty to do.
The lazy and indifferent workers were uncomfortable now. They had not expected something quite like this. What would the outcome be for them? They wanted to be excited. They had worked for many years after all. They weren’t complaining and grumbling like certain other workers were. Yet, they could not shake free from the sense of nervousness that had come over them.
Reflection
As we consider this parable, let us consider how there are applications that can be made within the religion of Christianity today.
In this parable, which group of workers do you suppose the man and his son will be most pleased with in the end?
Which of the workers will enjoy the greatest rewards?
Are there workers who will not receive any reward?
What do these things mean regarding our lives, and how can we apply the principles which are taught through this parable?
The Law and The Testimony
The ten commandments of God, also called the testimony,1 are explicitly distinguished in scripture from the larger body of the writings of Moses, known as “the law”:
Law and Testimony:
“To the law and to the testimony: If they speak not according to this word, It is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20, KJV)
Law:
“Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.” (Deuteronomy 31:26, KJV)
Testimony:
“And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.” (Exodus 25:16, KJV)
“And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” (Exodus 31:18, KJV 1900)
The Sabbath
Whenever a person argues that the ten commandments are done away with, they are generally only standing against the fourth commandment of the Sabbath. The other nine commandments are accepted by mainstream Christianity as being good and applicable to our lives today.
Yet it is the fourth commandment of keeping the Sabbath that has, for millennia, served as the most visual and distinct of all the commandments in showing who the people are that truly desire to keep the commandments of God. Those who love Him and keep His commandments (as a result of that love for Him) are not the least bit burdened by the Sabbath day. Instead, it serves as a blessing in their lives and the day that is most looked forward to in their weeks.
For those who keep the Sabbath commandment in love, they discover it to be a blessing and a delight. For them, it is not legalism or a burden. God made the day for them and invited them to keep it. They gladly accept this invitation, without regret, despite the opposition and persecution that they may face.
The Sabbath was instituted before sin.2 The Sabbath was used as a test of the Israelites’ loyalty before the law or the tables of stone were given to Moses.3 The Sabbath has been a sign used to mark God’s people.4 The Sabbath was acknowledged by Jesus as being kept after His resurrection.5 John was keeping the Sabbath on Patmos, over 50 years after the death and resurrection of Christ.6 The Sabbath will be kept on the new earth.7
Despite this continual and uninterrupted string of Sabbath observance and evidence, there are plenty of scriptures that can be plucked out and misused by Christians who aren’t interested in seeking God with their whole heart to see if these things are so. Rather than searching God with their whole heart, asking Him to reveal the truth of Sabbath to them, they put greater intensity into searching for any scripture and the writings of famous pastors and scholars which will support the belief and the tradition that they want to uphold. Thus, they find what they are looking for and reasons are formed in their mind to show why Sabbath observance is no longer applicable in the lives of God’s people.
Is this what God desires of us? Is this the principle that is taught in His word? Is this a reflection of Jesus’ statement to keep His commandments if we love Him? If we love Him, shouldn’t we examine every possibility of something being a commandment that He has given when there is evidence pointing to its validity?
Conclusion
Let us conclude with a few statements from scripture and from Jesus, the Son of God.
Words of Moses
“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:” (Exodus 19:5, KJV)
“And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:6, KJV)
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:” (Deuteronomy 6:5–6, KJV)
“And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” (Deuteronomy 10:12–13, KJV)
Words of David
“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, And that seek him with the whole heart.” (Psalm 119:2, KJV)
“With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” (Psalm 119:10, KJV)
“The proud have forged a lie against me: But I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.” (Psalm 119:69, KJV)
Words of Paul
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:11–15, KJV)
Words of John
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:3–4, KJV)
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” (1 John 5:3, KJV)
“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 12:17, KJV)
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12, KJV)
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14, KJV)
Words of James
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” (James 1:22–25, KJV)
Words of Jesus, the Son of God
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15, KJV)
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in mylove; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in hislove.” (John 15:10, KJV)
“Therefore whosoever heareththese sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24–27, KJV)
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13–14, KJV)
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14, KJV)
“And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” (Mark 7:9, KJV)
Prayer
May God help us to love Him with all of our hearts, all of our souls, and all of our strength. May He give us the desire and the ability to express our love for Him in the way that His word specifies, by keeping His commandments. May He expose in our hearts any and all error and every place where we have lifted up the tradition of man over the commandments of God. May He be glorified in our lives and may all of our obedience be done through the bonds of love rather than the shackles of legalism.
This is a wonderful parable. Very well done. Thank you for blessing me with this article.