Matthew 20:1 says, For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.  In this parable, Jesus would be the householder.  The early morning could be the time when Jesus first began His ministry and those who followed Him the first laborers.  I believe Jesus was saying more than that though, and that the first laborers would be those that accept Him as Savior and Lord early in life.  Verse two states, And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.  These laborers agreed to work for a certain amount.  When we accept Christ as Savior and Lord, we agree to work for a certain price, and that is forgiveness and everlasting life with God.  This is all that we are promised.  Verse three states, And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,  Three hours later, the householder saw people standing idle.  Until we accept Christ into our lives, no matter how busy we may be in the world, we are standing idle before God.  Verse four says, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.  These laborers, who started later, were only promised that they would be paid what was right.  Even if we start to follow Jesus and work to advance His kingdom later in life, we can be sure that Jesus will always be fair with us.  In verse five Jesus says, Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.  The householder went twice more, at the sixth and ninth hour, and hired others to work for the day.  I believe that one other thing that we can determine from this parable is that today is the only day that we can be certain that we have to work for Jesus, so no matter how late we start, we need to be at work.  Verse six says, And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?  Toward the end of the day, the eleventh hour, the householder found others standing idle, and asked them why.  When Jesus comes to us, no matter how late in the day, or in our lives, if we are not doing His work, which first requires accepting Him as Savior and Lord, He may ask why we are standing idle.  Verse seven states, They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.  Until we accept Jesus, there is no way to be employed in His kingdom.  After those who were hired first, there was no specified amount stated as the wages that those who were called later would receive.  When we come to Jesus, He does not specify what material rewards we may may receive.  We must simply follow Him and be at work for His kingdom, no matter how early or late in life we may start.  Verse eight states, So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.  Jesus says that the householder had the laborers called, and paid them from last to first.  The householder could have paid them in the reverse order, from first to last, and sent them away before the next group was paid, but he was not doing anything in secret.  I believe that this is a statement that Jesus never promises more to one person than to another and then secretly rewards one above the other.  The gospel message is the same for all.  Verse nine states, And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.  Those who started late received the same pay as those who started early in the day.  No matter what point in our lives we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are all promised the same reward, and that is everlasting life with God.  Verse ten declares, But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.  Those who started first expected more, but received the same pay.  We cannot expect a greater reward simply because we come to Jesus early in life and work longer sharing the gospel.  The only reward, or pay we are promised is everlasting life with God, and this is the same for everyone, even those who accept Jesus late in life.  Verse eleven states, And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,  Jesus said that those hired first, even though they received what was promised, murmured against the householder.  We must be careful that we never murmur against anyone who comes to a saving knowledge of Christ late in life.  We cannot afford to feel that we are somehow cheated by working longer for Christ.  The only promise we have for accepting Christ as our Savior and Lord is everlasting life with God, and we should never murmur when someone else accepts salvation. Verse  twelve continues, 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.  The complaint of those who were hired first was not that they hadn't been paid what was promised, but that they expected more.  When we work for Christ, it should be for His glory and not for our own reward.  Verse thirteen says, But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?  Jesus said the householder asked those first hired if he had done them wrong, or if he had paid them what he had promised.  No matter how long we may serve Christ, all that we are promised is everlasting life with God through our faith in Jesus.  We should never complain about anyone who receives the salvation of Christ later in life.  Verse fourteen declares, Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.  We, like the first hired, are to take what is ours, in our case salvation, and go our way satisfied.  That Jesus offers salvation to others should make us rejoice, not murmur.  Verse fifteen asks, Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?  Jesus, like the householder, asks us if it is not lawful for Him to do what He will with what is His.  Salvation is a gift that can come from Christ alone, and He freely gives it to all who come to Him in faith.  If we begin to feel that we are more worthy or deserving of more reward or blessing than someone else who accepts Christ as Savior, then our thoughts are evil. Verse sixteen concludes, So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.  I believe that this refers to a person's attitude about their position in God's kingdom.  Those who through self pride feel that they should be first will be last, and those who serve with a feeling of unworthiness will be first.  Then Jesus adds that many are called, but few are chosen.  This is not because some are automatically lost, but because few put their faith in Christ.