Not the amount of labor performed or its visible results but the spirit in which the work is done makes it of value with God. Those who came into the vineyard at the eleventh hour were thankful for an opportunity to work. Their hearts were full of gratitude to the one who had accepted them; and when at the close of the day the householder paid them for a full day's work, they were 398 greatly surprised. They knew they had not earned such wages. And the kindness expressed in the countenance of their employer filled them with joy. They never forgot the goodness of the householder or the generous compensation they had received. Thus it is with the sinner who, knowing his unworthiness, has entered the Master's vineyard at the eleventh hour. His time of service seems so short, he feels that he is undeserving of reward; but he is filled with joy that God has accepted him at all. He works with a humble, trusting spirit, thankful for the privilege of being a co-worker with Christ. This spirit God delights to honor.

Det, der gør vort arbejde værdifuldt, er ikke den mængde, vi har udrettet, eller de synlige resultater deraf, men det er den ånd, vi har lagt for dagen i vor gerning. De, der kom hen i vingården i den elevte time, var taknemmelige for at få en anledning til at arbejde. Deres hjerter var fyldt med tak til ham, som havde lejet dem, og da husbonden ved aftenstide betalte dem for en hel dags arbejde, blev de meget overraskede. De vidste, at de ikke havde fortjent så stor løn, og den venlighed, der lyste i deres arbejdsgivers ansigt, fyldte dem med glæde. De glemte aldrig husbondens godhed eller den rigelige betaling, de havde modtaget. Sådan er det også med den synder der forstår sin egen uværdighed, og som er kommet ind i Mesterens vingård i den elevte time. Hans tjeneste tid synes så kort, han synes, at han ikke fortjener at få nogen løn, men hans hjerte fyldes af glæde over at Gud i det hele taget har antaget ham. Han arbejder ydmygt og tillidsfuldt og er taknemmelig over at have fået den forret at være en Kristi medarbejder Gud glæder sig over at kunne belønne dem, der har et sådant sindelag.