I actually have felt a robust urge over the past few weeks to debate DEI because, like many Christians, I’m also concerned with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. I observe that the difficulty of fairness is complex, and I worry that Conservatives and most Christians are sometimes portrayed as monsters pushing innocent women and kids out of our nation. Unfortunately, this portrayal is misleading and designed to govern our emotions, leading good-hearted people—most believers in Christ—to simply accept arguments which have little to do with God’s truth regarding right and unsuitable. This has prompted me to reflect deeply and pray earnestly, as I at all times want God’s perspective, not human emotional manipulations, to guide us.
This inspired me to jot down an example of the DEI argument as if it were one among Jesus’ parables infused with His perspective. I pray this blesses you as you seek to be a blessing to others, especially when loving others won’t look as you think that or feel it should.
Let’s call it the ‘Parable of the Master’s Vineyard.’
Once, there was a great vineyard owner, a clever and generous master, who had long cared for his land. His vineyard stretched over rolling hills, with vines heavy with grapes and soil wealthy from careful tending. Year after yr, he hired staff to look after the vines, prune and water them, and convey within the harvest on the designated time.
One morning, the master went to the marketplace to rent laborers. He sought the best staff—those that were diligent, who loved the craft of tending vines, and who would give their best effort. Some had spent years within the vineyard, knowing exactly the best way to prune without harming the vine. Others were recent and desirous to learn, but all were chosen based on their willingness to work and their ability to bear fruit.
A New Overseer Brings Change
One day, the master appointed a recent overseer to administer the hiring of laborers. This overseer had a unique vision for the vineyard. He now not sought probably the most expert or dedicated staff. Instead, he decided that every group should be equally represented—not by their ability to tend the vines, but by their identity. He even believed there have been recent identities not previously seen tending vines and to be fair; they also needs to be included so that they might be a part of the personnel.
“We must make the vineyard fair,” the overseer declared. “It just isn’t right that some have worked here longer than others. We must be certain that every group receives an equal share of the harvest, no matter whether or not they know the best way to look after the vines or not.”
The next day, the overseer hired staff who had never pruned a vine, harvested grapes, or tended to the land. The experienced laborers warned him, “Master, these staff are good people, but they lack the talents! They will damage the vines and spoil the fruit!”
But the overseer rebuked them, saying, “It’s unfair to disclaim them a spot within the vineyard. Everyone deserves to be treated equally.”
The Withering of the Vineyard
Initially, the vineyard seemed unchanged. The recent staff were assigned tasks while the experienced ones carried on with their work. However, as time went by, the fruit began to suffer. The unskilled staff pruned too deeply, and the branches now not bore fruit as they once did. They neglected to water the roots because they didn’t realize when the soil was thirsty. Then, at harvest time, they gathered the fruit carelessly, crushing grapes before they might be taken to the press.
The older laborers attempted to correct their mistakes, however the overseer warned them, “You shouldn’t judge or criticize them! That can be unfair!”
Thus, the experienced staff fell silent. Some were disheartened, while others were indignant. Some left the vineyard entirely, realizing that their skills and efforts now not mattered. Others stayed, but their hands grew idle as their wisdom was now not welcomed.
The Master Returns
At the top of the season, the master returned to examine his vineyard. He walked through the fields and noticed that the vines were weak, the fruit was bitter, and a big portion of the harvest had been lost.
The master called the overseer to him and asked, “What have you ever done?”
The overseer smiled and said, “Master, we now have created a various and inclusive vineyard! It is now fair. Every group has contributed equally. No one has outperformed anyone else!”
But the master shook his head and said, “You have confused fairness with foolishness. Didn’t I teach you that every employee should be faithful in what he’s given? Each must work based on his ability, and the vineyard flourishes when laborers are chosen for his or her skill and diligence?”
“You have hired staff not for his or her love of the vineyard but for his or her social identity in society. You have neglected wisdom and the five chapters dedicated to it in Proverbs in favor of appearances. And now the harvest is ruined.”
The overseer protested, “But we wanted justice!”
The master said, “True justice rewards those that labor diligently, working with integrity and excellence. But you will have forsaken justice for false equality. And now, there may be neither justice nor reward.”
With that, the master removed the overseer from his position and entrusted the vineyard back to those that knew the best way to tend it. However, the vines were weak, and the harvest had been lost. Restoring what had been ruined would require years of careful labor.
The Lesson of the Vineyard
As Jesus might say, “He who has ears, let him hear.”
In this, we see the folly of those that reject wisdom for the sake of appearances. In looking for to look fair in their very own eyes, they destroy the very thing they’re entrusted to guard: the Master’s vineyard.
A vineyard doesn’t thrive by demanding equal outcomes; it flourishes by rewarding labor. A society that values skill and diligence will prosper, while one which overlooks merit in favor of enforced fairness will soon see its vineyard wither and its harvest lost.
To be fair, we must create and support opportunities and mentorship programs for everybody who desires to learn. When diversity is lacking, we must always encourage outreach programs to show individuals the best way to engage with all of the resources available for learning and contributing to the vineyard all of us share. Everyone values what they’ve invested in and worked hard to realize. Most people never appreciate anything simply given to them on a silver platter. Many often lack the crucial respect and admiration for what they receive without putting in any effort.
I discovered myself applying the logic of DEI to this parable and realized that, no matter our feelings for others and their struggles in life, we cannot change their skills to accommodate their differences, whatever those could also be. Jesus warned us that we’d face tribulations on this world, and we actually do. We all encounter quite a few trials and tribulations. Some of those are significantly related to opportunity and the preparation for those opportunities. People are born into various life circumstances, lots of which could seem unfair. Some have much, while others have little. Ultimately, how hard we work with what we now have is our selection. If you would like to work in a vineyard, learn and prepare to achieve this, even when the chance isn’t immediately available. Then, while you find that chance, you might be ready for the job. In a society looking for to evaluate hearts and force equal outcomes, remember the reality of Zechariah 4:10a : “Do not despise your small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.”
The Lord doesn’t judge by outward appearances. He does have a look at the fruit we produce. You are able to bearing fruit in case you do the work required. At the top of the day, a employee is value their hire in the event that they can compete. The journey of competition might not be fair, but your skill set can grow to be equal to that of somebody with more experience in case you work hard enough. “For whatever one sows, that may he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) Trusting in Godly principles won’t ever fail you as you seek to advance in life without assistance from unfair balances.
To go deeper here, remember 1 Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look on his appearance or on the peak of his stature, because I actually have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees, man looks on the outward appearance, however the Lord looks on the guts.”’
We cannot force equity because we have no idea the explanations behind inequities in the primary place. There is far on this world that only God can see and judge, particularly the condition of your heart or one other person’s heart. “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” because the Bible states in Jeremiah 17:9.
The point is that each one things needs to be brought before God in prayer, looking for the reality and understanding of God’s instruction within the Bible and only the Bible. Looking inside your personal heart will often result in incorrect methods of feeling higher concerning the human condition. This leaves you confused, misunderstood, and simply manipulated—none of which is a state a Believer should live in.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/SafakOguz
Cynthia Garrett broke barriers when she became the primary African American woman within the U.S. to host a network late-night show, NBC’s Later with Cynthia Garrett. She is currently seen on TBN and Salem Media networks, in addition to on Fox News and other news outlets, addressing cultural issues and today’s news. The Cynthia Garrett Podcasts premiere weekly on all major podcast platforms.
A highly sought-after speaker, creator, TV host, and ordained minister, Garrett is the creator of The Naked Truth: Reclaiming Sexual Freedom in a Culture of Lies (2024), I Choose Victory: Moving from Victim to Victor (2020), and Prodigal Daughter: A Journey Home to Identity (2016). For more information, visit www.cynthiagarrett.org
