The Parable of the Laborers

Matthew 20:1–15

 1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire^alabourers into his vineyard.

 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his ^avineyard.

 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing^aidle in the marketplace,

 4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

 5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

 6 And about the ^aeleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

 7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, thatshall ye receive.

 8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the ^alabourers, and give them their ^bhire, beginning from the last unto the first.

 9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

 11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

Elder Jeffrey R Holland, The Laborers in the Vineyard, General Conference April 2012
"This parable—like all parables—is not really about laborers or wages any more than the others are about sheep and goats. This is a story about God’s goodness, His patience and forgiveness, and the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a story about generosity and compassion. It is a story about grace. It underscores the thought I heard many years ago that surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don’t expect it and often feel they don’t deserve it."

My thought - The laborers at the end of the day partook of grace, but they still worked.  They did not get paid just for showing up at the payment table.