The Lord had instructed His people that He was the owner of the vineyard, and that all their possessions were given them in trust to be used for Him. But the priests and teachers did not perform the work of their sacred office as if they were handling the property of God. They were systematically robbing Him of the means and facilities 293 entrusted to them for the advancement of His work. Their covetousness and greed caused them to be despised even by the heathen. Thus the Gentile world was given occasion to misinterpret the character of God and the laws of His kingdom.

Herren havde lært sit folk, at han var vingårdens ejer og at alt, hvad de ejede, var blevet betroet dem, for at de skulle forvalte det for ham. Men præsterne og lærerne udførte ikke deres hellige gerning, som om det var Guds ejendom, de forvaltede. De berøvede ham regelmæssigt midler og gaver der var betroet dem til hans værks fremme. Deres begærlighed og havesyge var årsag til, at de blev foragtet endog af hedningerne og således fik den hedenske verden anledning til at mistyde Guds karakter og hans riges love.