"Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?"

This Sunday's reading from Matthew 20:1-16 contains the choice quotation in the title to this post. 

‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’

The Lord's ways are not our ways. When we forget that, we grumble if things don't go our way. 

St. Benedict repeats Jesus' admonition in chapter 34 of his Rule for monastic life, and the saint adds a command for discipline,

1 It is written: Distribution was made to each one as he had need (Acts 4:35). 2 By this we do not imply that there should be favoritism–God forbid–but rather consideration for weaknesses, 3 Whoever needs less should thank God and not be distressed, 4 but whoever needs more should feel humble because of his weakness, not self-important because of the kindness shown him. 5 In this way all the members will be at peace. 6 First and foremost, there must be no word or sign of the evil of grumbling, no manifestation of it for any reason at all. 7 If, however, anyone is caught grumbling, let him undergo more severe discipline.

 Benedict's rule is meant for the kingdom of the monastery, and Jesus' story is about the kingdom of heaven, but I see a parallel. 

If Christ is in us, we won't grumble and spread the lie that the Lord is unfair even during those times when it appears that evil is rewarded and good is punished.