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马太福音生命读经 · 第54篇

国度的赏赐

The Kingdom Reward
1与国度赏赐的比喻
1And The Parable Of The Kingdom Reward
2马太十九章一至二十二节有国度的要求，十九章二十三至三十节有国度的赏赐。马太二十章一至十六节是国度赏赐的比喻。在本篇信息中，我们要看国度的赏赐和国度赏赐的比喻。
2In Matthew 19:1-22 we have the requirements of the kingdom, and in 19:23-30, the reward of the kingdom. Matthew 20:1-16 is the parable of the kingdom reward. In this message we shall consider the reward of the kingdom and the parable of the kingdom reward
壹 、财主不可能进国度
I. Impossible For The Rich Man To Enter Into The Kingdom
3二十三、二十四节说，『于是耶稣对门徒说，我实在告诉你们，财主进诸天的国是难的。我又告诉你们，骆驼穿过针的眼，比财主进神的国还容易。』二十三节用『诸天的国，』二十四节却用『神的国。』在主说这话的时候，诸天的国还没有来到，但神的国已经在那里，因此主用神的国这辞。
3Verses 23 and 24 say, “ And Jesus said to His disciples, Truly I say to you, it is difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of the heavens. And again I say to you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” The kingdom of God is used in verse 24 instead of the kingdom of the heavens mentioned in verse 23, At this point, the kingdom of the heavens had not come, but the kingdom of God was present. Hence, the Lord used the term the kingdom of God
4主说骆驼穿过针的眼比财主进神的国还容易，这话指明我们凭著天然的生命，不可能进神的国。
4The Lord’sword about it being easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God indicates the impossibility of entering into the kingdom of God by our natural life
贰 、在神，不可能的变为可能
II. The Impossibility Becoming A Possibility With God
5二十五节说，『门徒听见了，就极其惊讶，说，这样谁能得救？』门徒和今天多数的基督徒一样，把得救与进诸天的国混为一谈。主对这青年人所说的话，是关于进诸天的国，门徒却以为是说到得救。他们对得救的观念相当天然、凡俗，并没有领会主对进诸天之国的启示。
5Verse 25 says, “And when the disciples heard this, they were exceedingly astonished and said, Who then can be saved?” The disciples, like most Christians today, confused salvation with the kingdom of the heavens. The Lord’sword to the young man concerned entering into the kingdom of the heavens, but the disciples considered that it referred to salvation. They had the natural, common concept of being saved. They did not grasp the Lord’sr evelation concerning entering into the kingdom of the heavens
6在二十六节主对他们说，『在人这是不能的，在神凡事都能。』我们凭著人的生命不能进诸天的国，但凭著神的生命却能。这生命就是基督自己分赐到我们里面，使我们能过国度的生活。我们凭著基督，就能履行国度的要求；祂给我们能力，使我们凡事都能作。（腓四13。）
6In verse 26 the Lord said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” By our human life it is impossible to enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but it is possible by the divine life, which is Christ Himself imparted into us that we may live the kingdom life. We can fulfill the requirements of the kingdom by Christ, who empowers us to do all things (Phil. 4:13).
参 、国度的赏赐
III. The Kingdom Reward
7在二十七节彼得对主说，『看哪，我们已经撇下所有的跟从了你，这样，我们将来要得甚么?』彼得似乎说，『不论进国度有多难，我们却像骆驼一样，已经穿过针的眼。我们既已撇下所有的跟从你，我们将来要得甚么？』彼得的观念相当商业化。主就像平常一样清楚明确的回答他。
7In verse 27 Peter said to the Lord, “Behold, we have left all and followed You; what then is there for us?” Peter seemed to be saying, “No matter how difficult it is to enter into the kingdom, we, like the camel, have passed through the eye of the needle. Since we have left all and followed You, what is there for us?” Peter’s concept was quite commercial. The Lord answered him, as usual, in a clear, definite way
一 、在今世得著百倍
A. To Receive a Hundredfold in This Age
8国度的赏赐有两部分。第一部分在今世，第二部份在来世。国度赏赐的第一部分主要的是与物质的事物和天然的事物有关。我们若是为著国度，或为著主的名，撇下这一切事物，主会赏赐我们百倍。在二十九节主说，『凡为我的名撇下房屋、或是弟兄、姊妹、父亲、母亲、儿女、田地的，必要得著百倍，且要承受永远的生命。』得著百倍的房屋、田地、亲族，是在今世得著赏赐。（可十30。）这是指今天享受主里的弟兄姊妹，连带也享受他们的所有。我能见证，我已经撇下了一切跟从主，包括撇下我的亲人。我在地方召会之外，几乎没有朋友。但我有许许多多的弟兄、姊妹、母亲。在召会生活里，我们都有许多的母亲、弟兄、姊妹。从某种意义说，在召会生活里的人爱我胜于我的亲人。这就是赏赐。我们需要相信主的应许，我们若将一切撇在背后跟从祂，我们甚至在今世就要得著赏赐。
8The kingdom reward is of two parts. The first part is in this age, and the second part is in the coming age. The first part of the kingdom reward is mainly related to material things and natural things. If, for the kingdom’ss ake, or for the sake of the Lord’s name, we leave all these things, the Lord will reward us a hundredfold. In verse 29 the Lord said, “Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands for My name’ss ake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall inherit eternal life.” To receive a hundredfold, houses, lands, and relatives, is to be rewarded in this age (Mark 10:30). This refers to the enjoyment of the brothers and sisters in the Lord with their possessions today. I can testify that I have left everything to follow the Lord, including my relatives. I hardly have a friend outside the local church. But I have hundreds of brothers, sisters, and mothers. In the church life we all have many mothers, brothers, and sisters. In a sense, those in the church life love me more than my relatives do. This is a reward. We need to believe the promise of the Lord that if we leave everything behind us to follow Him, we shall receive a reward, even in this age
二 、在来世承受永远的生命
B. To Inherit Eternal Life in the Coming Age
9在二十九节，主也题到承受永远的生命。承受永远的生命，乃是在来世诸天之国的实现里，得著神圣生命比在今世更丰满的享受为赏赐。(路十八29～30。)在国度的实现里，我们将与主耶稣一同有分于千年国里永远生命的享受。这要大于我们在今世所得著国度赏赐的第一面。
9In verse 2 9, the Lord also speaks of inheriting eternal life. To inherit eternal life is to be rewarded in the coming age (Luke 1 8:2 9-3 0) with the enjoyment of the divine life in the manifestation of the kingdom of the heavens. In the manifestation of the kingdom, we shall participate in the enjoyment of eternal life in the millennial kingdom with the Lord Jesus. This will be greater than the first aspect of the kingdom reward, which we receive in this age.
三 、在复兴的时候与基督同王
C. In the Time of Restoration to Be Co-kings with Christ
10在二十八节主说，『我实在告诉你们，你们这些跟从过我的人，在复兴的时候，当人子坐在祂荣耀的宝座上，你们也要坐在十二个宝座上，审判以色列十二个支派。』复兴的时候是指主再来以后，要来国度时代的复兴。(徒三21。）在要来的国度里，得胜者要坐在宝座上，治理全地。（启二十4。）头十二位使徒，包括彼得在内，要审判以色列十二个支派；而其他得胜的人，要辖管列国。（启二26。）
10In verse 28 the Lord said, “Truly I say to you that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit on the throne of His glory, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” The regeneration is the restoration of the coming kingdom age (Acts 3:21) after the Lord’s second coming. In the coming kingdom, the overcomers will sit on thrones to reign over the earth (Rev. 20:4). The first twelve apostles, including Peter, will judge the twelve tribes of Israel, while the others will rule over the nations (Rev. 2:26
四 、不是律法的事
D. Not Being a Legal Matter
11听了主的回答之后，彼得无话可说。他的口被封住了。但主继续说，『然而许多在前的将要在后，在后的将要在前。』（太十九。）许多基督徒使用这一节，但多半都用错了。我关心我们许多人没有正确的领会这一节。有些人说，刚得救却有相当经历的人，就是在后的成了在前的例子。这是天然的解释。另有人说，在后的青年人成了在前的，我们年长的人跟不上而成了在后的。这也是天然的领会。主晓得我们会用天然的方式接受祂的话，就给我们二十章一至十六节的比喻，来解释这一节的意思。二十章一节开头的『因为』一辞，指明这比喻是十九章三十节的说明。此外，在二十章十六节主又说，在后的将要在前，在前的将要在后。这也证明这比喻是解释十九章三十节里主的话。
11After hearing the Lord’s answer, Peter had nothing more to say. His mouth was shut. But the Lord went on to say, “But many that are first shall be last, and the last first” (v. 30). Many Christians use this verse, but most use it incorrectly. I am 30 concerned that many of us do not understand this verse properly. Some say that a person who has just been saved but who has considerable experience is an example of the last becoming first. This is a natural interpretation. Others say that the young ones, who are last, have become the first, and that we, the older ones, are out of date and have become the last. This also is a natural understanding. Knowing that we would take His word in a natural way, the Lord gave the parable in 20:1-16 to explain the meaning of this verse. The word “For” at the beginning of 20:1 indicates that this parable is an explanation of 19:30. Furthermore, in 20:16 the Lord again says that the last shall be first and the first last. This also proves that the parable is an interpretation of the Lord’sword.
12要领会十九章三十节和二十章一至十六节的比喻，我们需要看见彼得有商业的头脑。他的商业头脑表露在十九章二十七节，他问主说，『我们将来要得甚么?』换句话说，彼得说，『主，我们付了代价。现在你要给我们甚么?』我们在超级市场里付了价钱，并得著相当价格的东西。我们为著甚么付款，就得著甚么。这就是彼得的观念。他说他们已经撇下所有的跟从了主，也就是说，他们付了完全的代价。现在他想知道他付了代价，会得著甚么。主耶稣很公平，祂在十九章二十八、二十九节清楚的回答了彼得。主似乎说，『当我坐在我荣耀的宝座上，你们要坐在十二个宝座上。彼得，你们就是为此付了代价。凡为我的名撇下房屋或亲人的，将得著两部分的赏赐，第一部分是在今世，第二部分是在来世。在今世你要得著百倍，顶替你新撇下的物质事物。在来世你要得著永远生命的完满享受。』主的回答清楚且公平，我相信彼得非常满意。
12In order to understand 1 9:3 0 and the parable in 2 0:1-1 6, we need to see that Peter had a commercial mentality. His commercial mentality was exposed in 19:27, when he asked, “What then is there for us?” In other words, Peter was saying, “Lord, we have paid the price. Now what will You give us?” At the supermarket we pay a certain price and receive in exchange something with a certain value. We get what we pay for. This was Peter’s concept. He said that they had left everything to follow the Lord, that is, they had paid the full price. Now he wanted to know what he would get in exchange for the price he had paid. The Lord Jesus was fair and answered Peter in a clear way in 19:28 and 29. The Lord seemed to say, “When I sit on the throne of My glory, you will sit on twelve thrones. Peter, this is what you have paid the price for. Everyone who has left houses or relatives for My name’ss ake will receive a two-part reward, the first part in this age and the second part in the coming age. In this age you will receive a hundredfold to replace the material things you left. In the coming age you will have the full enjoyment of eternal life.” The Lord’s answer was clear and fair, and I believe Peter was very satisfied with it.
13然而，主没有让彼得过去，因为他需要进一步的功课。所以主说许多（但不是全部）在前的将要在后，在后的将要在前。这指明许多人和彼得一样，他们原是在前的，却要最后得著赏赐。主这么说是要革新彼得商业的头脑。主似乎对彼得说，『那些在前的将要在后，在后的将要在前。我说这话是要叫你们看见，我所给你们的不是基于你们的商业意识。尽管你们要得著国度的赏赐必须付代价，但得赏赐不是商业的事。事实上，你们所付的代价算不得甚么。』
13The Lord, however, did not let Peter go, for he needed a further lesson. Therefore the Lord said that many (but not all) who are first shall be last, and the last first. This indicates that many, like Peter, who were the first would be the last to receive the reward. The Lord said this in order to revolutionize Peter’s commercial mentality. The Lord seemed to be saying to Peter, “Those who are the first will be last, and those who are the last will be first. I say this to show you that what I give you is not based upon your commercial sense. Although you must pay in order to receive the reward of the kingdom, receiving the reward is not a commercial matter. Actually, the price you have paid means nothing
14当然，我们今天也是这样。我们所丢弃的算不得甚么。即使美国总统为了得著国度的赏赐放弃他的职位，也算不得甚么。然而，主所给的含意非常丰富。你若在百货公司为一样东西付一块钱，你就得著价值一块钱的东西；你若付一百元，你就得著价值一百元的东西。但在主眼中，我们为赏赐所付的代价只是几分钱，但祂所给的赏赐却值好几百万。我们能付出甚么以得著永远生命的全享？在国度实现里永远生命的全享是无价的。我们所付的代价不能与我们所要得著的赏赐相比。得著赏赐不是商业的交易，不是付出多少就得著价值相等的东西。事实上，我们所付出的是粪土。（腓三8。）在基督以外的一切都是粪土。主似乎对彼得说，『彼得，在国度里，你要坐在宝座上辖管以色列子民。这是王权。彼得，你为了得著这个所丢弃的一切乃是粪土。你想你能用粪土买到王权么？你若想要付给我粪土，我不会接受。反之，我会叫你除去那些东西。你付的代价虽是粪土，我却要用王权赏赐你。』具有商业头脑的彼得，需要主耶稣再教育。主很智慧，对他也很忍耐，并说了很长的比喻，解释他所说在前的将要在后，在后的将要在前的意思。
14The same, of course, is true of us today. What we have given up does not mean anything. Even if the President of the United States were to give up his presidency in order to have the kingdom reward, that would not mean anything. However, what the Lord gives means a great deal. If you pay a dollar for something at the department store, you receive something worth a dollar; and if you pay a hundred dollars, you receive something worth a hundred dollars. But, in the eyes of the Lord, the price we pay for the reward is just a few cents, but the reward He gives is worth millions. What could we pay to receive the full enjoyment of eternal life? The full enjoyment of eternal life in the manifestation of the kingdom is priceless. The price we pay cannot compare with the reward we shall receive. Receiving the reward is not a commercial transaction. It is not a matter of paying a certain amount and of receiving something equal to that in value. Actually, what we pay is dung (Phil, 3:8). Everything apart from Christ is dung. The Lord seemed to be saying to Peter, “Peter, in the kingdom you will be sitting on the throne ruling over the children of Israel. This is the kingship. Peter, all you have given up to obtain this is dung. Do you think you can buy the kingship with dung? If you attempt to pay Me with dung, I would not accept it. Rather, I would tell you to get rid of those things. Although the price you pay is dung, I shall reward you with the kingship.” Peter, who had a commercial mentality, needed to be reeducated by the Lord Jesus. The Lord was wise and patient with him and gave a long parable to explain what He meant when He said that the first would be last and the last first.
15肆、家主为他的葡萄园雇工人
15IV. A Householder Hiring Workmen For His Vineyard
一 、清早
A. Early in the Morning
16马太二十章一、二节说，『因为诸天的国好像一个作家主的人，清早出去，为他的葡萄园雇工人，和工人讲定一天一个银币，就打发他们进他的葡萄园去。』家主指基督。这里的清早，约在早晨六时，指召会时代的最早期，那时基督来呼召门徒进国度。工人指门徒，葡萄园指国度。二节所2说的讲定，指主在十九章二十七至二十九节所讲定的。银币，指主在十九章二十七至二十九节，与彼得所讲定应许给他的赏赐。
16Matthew 20:1 and 2 say, “For the kingdom of the heavens is like a man, a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire workmen for his vineyard. And having agreed with the workmen for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.” The householder is Christ. The morning here is 6:00 a.m., denoting the earliest part of the church age, when Christ came to call His disciples into the kingdom. The workmen are the disciples, and the vineyard is the kingdom. The agreement referred to in verse denotes the agreement He made in 19:27-29. The denarius is the reward the Lord offered Peter in His agreement with him in 19:28 and 29.
二 、约在上午九时
B. About the Third Hour
17三、四节说，『约在上午九时，他又出去，看见市场上另有闲站的人，就对他们说，你们也进葡萄园去，所当给的，我必给你们。他们就去了。』上午九时，直译，第三时。希伯来时间。马太、马可、路加、行传四书同。上午九时，指召会时代的第二期。『闲』字指明，凡不在诸天之国里作工的，就是在市场所指的世界里开站的。
17Verses 3 and 4 say, “And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place, and to those he said, You go also into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you. And they went.” The third hour was 9:00 a.m., denoting the second part of the church age. The word “idle” indicates that whoever does not work in the kingdom of the heavens is standing idle in the world, which is denoted by the market place
18三、约在正午和午后三时
18C. About the Sixth Hour and about the Ninth Hour
19五节说，『约在正午和午后三时，他再出去，也是这样行。』正午，直译，第六时。正午十二时，指召会时代的中期。午后三时，直译，第九时。午后三时，指召会时代的第四期。
19Verse 5 says, “ Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour and did likewise.” The sixth hour, 12:00 noon, denotes the middle part of the church age, and the ninth hour, 3:00 p.m., denotes the fourth part of the church age
四 、约在午后五时
D. About the Eleventh Hour
20六、七节说，『约在午后五时，他出去，看见另有人站著，就对他们说，你们为甚么整天在这里闲站？他们说，因为没有人雇我们。他说，你们也进葡萄园去。』午后五时，直译，第十一时。午后五时指召会时代的第五期。在午后五时被雇的人说，他们闲站是因为没有人雇他们。在神的国之外，没有一个人是神所雇用的。虽然时候晚了，主仍打发他们进葡萄园去。甚至接近召会时代的末期，主仍在呼召人。
20Verses 6 and 7 say, “And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and said to them, Why are you standing here all the day idle? They said to him, Because no one has hired us. He said to them, You go also into the vineyard.” The eleventh hour was 5:00 p.m., denoting the fifth part of the church age. Those hired at the eleventh hour said they were standing around idle because no one had hired them. Outside the kingdom of God, no human beings are employed by God. Although the hour was late, the Lord still sent them into the vineyard. Even near the end of the church age, the Lord still calls people to work in His kingdom
21伍、家主赏赐工人
21V. The Householder Rewarding The Workmen
一 、在黄昏
A. At Evening
22按照八节，家主赏赐工人是在黄昏，就是午后六时。这指召会时代的末期。
22According to verse 8, the householder rewarded the workmen at evening, that is, at 6:00 p.m. This denotes the end of the church age
二 、从后来的开始，直到先来的为止
B. Beginning from the Last to the First
23八节说，『到了黄昏，葡萄园的主人对管事的说，叫工人都来，给他们工钱，从后来的开始，直到先来的为止。』主从后来的开始，直到先来的为止，这与天然和商业的观念相反，指明后来的工人得工钱，不是按他们作的工，乃是按葡萄园主人恩典的意愿。
23Verse 8 says, “And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard said to his steward, Call the workmen and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.” For the lord to begin from the last to the first was against the natural and commercial concept. It indicates that what is paid to the latest workmen is not according to their work, but according to the gracious wish of the lord of the vineyard
24三、后雇的与先雇的得著同样的赏赐
24C. The Last and the First Receiving the Same Reward
25九、十节说，『那些约在午后五时雇的来了，每个人都领了一个银币。那些先雇的也来了，他们以为必要多领，但他们也是各领一个银币。』这里我们看见后雇的与先雇的得著同样的赏赐。十节所题先雇的工人，包括彼得在内。他曾在十九章二十七至二十九节和主讨过价。
25Verses 9 and 10 say, “And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, they received each a denarius. And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they themselves also received each a denarius.” Here we see that the last and the first received the same reward. The first workmen mentioned in verse 10 included Peter, who made a deal with the Lord in 19:27-29
四 、先雇的照著律法埋怨
D. The First Murmuring according to Legality
26先雇的人非常惊讶，后雇的人竟先得赏赐，虽然他们只作了一小时，而且不是在一天最热的时候。因此，那些先雇的看见后雇的领了一个银币，他们就期望多领。然而，他们也是领一个银币。十一、十二节说，『他们领了之后，就埋怨家主说，那些后来的作了一小时的工，你竟叫他们和我们这些整天劳苦受热的一样。』那些先雇的人并不知道罗马九章十四至十五节和二十节。在主并没有不义，祂要向谁施怜悯，就向谁施怜悯。他们是谁，竟向主顶嘴？但彼得天然的观念，代表所有信徒的观念，是商业化的；他不知道主恩典的意愿。因此，他照著律法埋怨主。
26Much to the surprise of those hired first, the last were the first to receive the reward, although they worked just one hour, not during the heat of the day. Thus, when those hired first saw that the last received a denarius, they expected to receive a great deal more. However, they also received a denarius. Verses 11 and 12 say, “And when they received it, they murmured against the householder, saying, These last have worked one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” Those hired first should remember Romans 9:14-15 and 20. There is no unrighteousness with the Lord. He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy. Who are they to reply against the Lord? But Peter’s natural concept, representing that of all believers, was commercial; he did not know the Lord’s gracious wish. Thus, he murmured against the Lord according to legality.
五 、家主的回答表明照著他的愿望而有的恩典
E. The Householder’s Answer Showing Grace according to His Desire
27十三节说，『家主回答他们其中的一个说，朋友，我没有对你不义。你不是与我讲定一个银币么?』主说的其中一人，必是指彼得。这节的『讲定』，是指主在十九章二十七至二十九节，与彼得所讲定的。这里主似乎说，『彼得，我们签过合同了。我不欠你甚么，因为我已经把我所应许的给你了。我要给你看见，我的赏赐不是商业的事，乃是恩典的事。你需要学习恩典的功课。赏赐是照著我的愿望而有的恩典。由于恩典，我愿意把我所应许给你的同样赏赐，给那些后雇的人。这有甚么不对？』
27Verse 13 says, “But he answered and said to one of them, Friend, I am not wronging you, did you not agree with me for a denarius?” By “one of them” the Lord was no doubt referring to Peter. The agreement mentioned in this verse was the agreement the Lord made with Peter in 19:27-29. Here the Lord seemed to be saying, “Peter, we signed an agreement. I don’to we you anything, for I have given you what I promised. However, I’d like to show you that My reward is not a commercial matter, but a matter of grace. Peter, you need to learn the lesson of grace. The reward is a matter of grace according to My desire. Out of grace, I desire to give those hired last the same reward that I promised to give you. What is wrong with this
28十四节继续说，『拿你的走罢；我愿意给那后来的，正如给你的一样。』这是主给彼得有力的答覆，指明主已把彼得所认为当得的给了他。主有权柄照著自己的意愿和喜悦，不按作工的原则，乃按恩典的原则，将同样的工钱付给后来的工人。这粉碎并改正彼得天然和商业的头脑。
28Verse 14 continues, “Take what is yours and go. I desire to give to this last one even as to you,” This was a strong answer to Peter from the Lord, indicating that the Lord had given him what He thought he deserved. But the Lord has the right to give the same thing to the latest workmen according to His own wish, in the principle not of work but of grace. This shattered and corrected Peter’s natural and commercial mind
29十五节说，『难道我不可随我的意思，用我的东西么？还是因为我慈善，你就眼红了么？』彼得在十九章二十七节与主讲条件时，他的观念全然是商业的，不按著恩典的原则，乃按著作工的原则。主答覆彼得时有力的指明，祂对跟从祂者的赏赐，不是商业的，乃是按著他的意愿和恩典。门徒要得著诸天的国，就需要撇下一切并跟从主，但主所要给他们的赏赐，超过他们所当得的。这不是按著商业的原则，乃是按著主的喜悦。这对跟从祂的人是个激励。
29Verse 15 says, “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is mine? Or is your eye evil because I am good?” Peter’s concept, in dealing with the Lord in 19:27, was altogether commercial, according to the principle of work, not of grace. In His answer to Peter, the Lord strongly indicated that His reward to His followers is not commercial, but according to His desire and grace. For the disciples to gain the kingdom of the heavens, they need to leave all and follow the Lord. But what He will give them as a reward is more than they deserve. It is not according to the principle of commerce, but according to the Lord’s good pleasure. This is an incentive to His followers.
六 、不是律法的事，乃是恩典的事
F. Not a Legal Matter but a Matter of Grace
30在十六节，主给这比喻下结论说，『这样，在后的将要在前，在前的将要在后了。』在后的，是最后来的工人；在前的，是最早来的工人。作工时，最早来的人在前，但得赏赐时，在后的成了在前的。主就这样使在后的成了在前的，在前的成了在后的。因此，赏赐不是律法的事，乃是恩典的事。
30In verse 16 the Lord concludes this parable: “Thus shall the last be first and the first last.” The last are the latest workmen, and the first are the earliest ones. In working, the earliest ones came first, but in receiving the reward, the last became the first. It is this way that the Lord makes the last first and the first last. Therefore, the reward is not a legal matter, but a matter of grace
31我们不该有商业的心思。救恩是基于恩典。主耶稣为我们作了一切，我们不需要作工。然而，国度的赏赐是按著我们的工作，按著我们所付的代价。我们若付代价，主就会给我们赏赐。似乎赏赐是用我们的工作买来的。我们若这么想，就像带著商业头脑的彼得。我们需要再受教育，看见甚至赏赐也是基于恩典。得著赏赐的路不是付代价，乃是享受恩典。
31We should not have a commercial mind. Salvation is based upon grace. The Lord Jesus has done everything for us, and there is no need for us to work. The kingdom reward, however, is according to our work, according to the price we pay. If we pay the price, then the Lord will give us a reward. It may seem that the reward is purchased by our work. If we think this, then we are like Peter with a commercial mentality. We need to be reeducated to see that even the reward is based upon grace. The way to receive the reward is not to pay the price, but to enjoy grace
32得救就是领受恩典，得赏赐就是享受我们已经领受的恩典。我们相信主，就领受了恩典，并且得救了。领受恩典之后，我们必须学习享受恩典。将万有撇在背后并跟从主不是出代价；乃是享受我们已经领受的恩典。不要以为你牺牲了甚么。你所牺牲的只是粪土，是虚空的虚空。日光之下凡事都是虚空。你的教育、地位和前途都是虚空。粪土不能视为代价。将万有撇在背后乃是卸下重担并且得释放。你一直在地位、财富、对前途忧虑的重担之下。因此，你需要卸下重担，卸下的路就是享受恩典。恩典使我们卸下重担。然而藉著享受恩典，卸下重担不是付代价。我们不是在这里付代价。我们乃是在享受自由。阿利路亚，我已经得著释放！我已经从我的亲人、名誉、地位、前途和一切，得著释放；我是完全自由的。我不是在付代价，我是在享受恩典。
32To be saved is to receive grace, and to gain the reward is to enjoy the grace we have received. When we believed in the Lord, we received grace and were saved. After receiving grace we must learn to enjoy grace. To leave all things behind and follow the Lord is not to pay a price; it is to enjoy the grace we have received. Do not think that you have sacrificed anything. What you sacrifice is just dung; it is vanity of vanities. Everything under the sun is vanity. Your education, position, and future are all vanity. Dung cannot be considered a price. To leave all things behind is to be unloaded and released. You have been under the heavy load of your position, wealth, and concern for your future. Thus, you need to be unloaded, and the way to be unloaded is to enjoy grace. Grace unloads us. To be unloaded through the enjoyment of grace, however, is not to pay a price. We are not here paying a price. Rather, we are enjoying liberation. Hallelujah, I have been liberated! I have been liberated from my relatives, fame, position, future, and everything; I am completely free. I am not paying a price—I am enjoying grace.
33我们都需要丢弃商业的头脑。有些圣徒曾说，『我已经为召会撇下一切。我受了很多苦，现在我一无所有。』每当我听到这种怨言，我就在深处说，『你不能得著甚么，因为你不是在正确的灵里丢弃万有并且受苦。你若在对的灵里，你会感谢、喜乐，并赞美主使你不再背重担。』我们若在正确的灵里为主丢弃万有，我们会说，『主阿，我感谢你，我不再背地位、野心或对前途忧虑的重担。所有属世的人事物都在重担之下。但是主，我赞美你，我已经卸下重担，并且得著释放。我不是在付代价，我乃是天天在享受恩典。主，你所给我的不是补偿，乃是对你自己进一步的享受。』
33We all need to give up the commercial mentality. Some saints have said, “I have left everything for the church. I have suffered very much, and now I have nothing.” Whenever I have heard this kind of complaint, deep within me I said, “You cannot receive anything, because your giving up of all things and your suffering have not been done in the proper spirit. If you were in the right spirit, you would be thankful, joyful, and praise the Lord that you are no longer burdened.” If we have given up all things for the Lord in a proper spirit, we would say, “O Lord, I thank You that I am not bearing the load of position, ambition, or concern for the future. All the worldlings are under a heavy load. But, Lord, I praise You that I have been unloaded and liberated. I am not paying a price—I am daily enjoying grace. Lord, whatever You give me is not a reimbursement, but a further enjoyment of Yourself
34我信我们是午后五时被雇的最后一班工人。但我们会先得赏赐，虽然我们不会像彼得、雅各、约翰、和保罗作工那么久；他们作工将近二十个世纪了。他们整天劳苦受热，而我们只劳苦了这么短的时间，最多才几年。也许我们得赏赐时，彼得会对约翰说，『看，这些人比我们先得赏赐。』但那将是主话的应验，在后的将要在前，在前的将要在后。也许约翰会对彼得说，『彼得，要忍耐。倘若这些后来的人得这样的赏赐，我们所得的必然要多得多。』然而，彼得和约翰也许会惊讶和我们这些后雇的人得著同样的赏赐。但主会对彼得和所有先雇的人说，『我不是与你们讲定的么？我的应许不叫你们满意么？不要埋怨，接受你的赏赐，去登宝座罢。我难道没有权利照我的意愿行事么？我慈善不对么？』有一天，我们要得著和彼得同样的赏赐，并且要先得著。彼得的赏赐将是一个银币，我们的也是一样。这一个银币是指国度实现时在荣耀里对神圣生命的全享。这将是我们的赏赐。
34I believe that we are in the last group of workmen, those hired at five o’clock in the afternoon. But we shall be the first to be rewarded, although we shall not work as long as Peter, James, John, and Paul, who have been working for nearly twenty centuries. They have labored the entire day, bearing the scorching heat. But we have labored for such a short time, at the most a number of years. Perhaps as we are receiving the reward, Peter will say to John, “Look, these people are receiving the reward before us.” But that will be the fulfillment of the Lord’s word that the last shall be the first and the first last. Perhaps John will say to Peter, “Peter, be patient. If these last ones are receiving such a reward, we shall certainly receive much more.” However, Peter and John may be surprised to receive the same reward as those hired last. But the Lord may say to Peter and to all those hired first, “Didn’t Im ake an agreement with you? Was not My promise satisfactory? Do not complain, but take your reward and go to the throne. Do I not have the right to do things according to My desire? Am I wrong for being good?” One day, we shall receive the same reward as Peter, and we shall receive it first. Peter’s reward will be a denarius, and ours will be the same. This denarius denotes the full enjoyment of the divine life in glory in the manifestation of the kingdom. This will be our reward.