«But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?’ » (Matthew 20:13).
Meritocracy is not as lovely as we think. One of the big problems of this system is that the winners tend to think their success is due exclusively to their talent and personal effort. We tend to ignore random elements such as genetic factors, geographical limitations, and historical conditions for a given period. Being born intelligent, for example, is due to a complex combination of sociocultural and genetic factors over which we have no control.
Believing that success is due exclusively to our talent and effort can make us insensitive to those who fail. If our success is due only to effort, we reason, the failure of others is due to their laziness. When we look at entire countries through this simplistic interpretative framework, we can assume that their poverty is due to a lack of initiative and not to complex social systems that perpetuate inequality.
When Jesus told the parable of the workers in the vineyard, I am sure that those who were listening to Him thought: That’s not fair! Those who worked less should not receive the same pay (see Matthew 20:1—16). However, Jesus designed His stories with an unexpected twist of plot on purpose—to reveal truths of the kingdom of heaven. In this parable, Jesus demonstrated that the system of the government of heaven is not «meritocratic,» but «graciocratic.» God seeks the lost, hires workers without talent, overpays them, and gives them His Son . completely free. The scepter of heavenly government is moved by mercy, not merit.
Dominique DuBois Gilliard, author and human rights activist, wrote in his article «The Implications of Meritocracy on the Church»: «Meritocracy is a cancerous worldview. It is contrary to the gospel and compromises our vision. . . . It distorts how we look and how we relate and interact with our neighbor. . It gives us a false sense of moral superiority with which we accuse others and belittle them.» As ambassadors of the kingdom of heaven, we must live by reflecting the laws of the government we represent. Today you can be an ambassador of grace.
Father, please help me remember that if I had what I deserve,
I would not be alive today, nor would I have hope of eternal life.
The wages of sin is death, but your gift is eternal life through Christ Jesus.
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Perez & Angelica Cuate
