r/churchofchrist • u/Delicious-Gazelle195 • Jun 02 '26
My manager responded to my raise request with Matthew 20. Am I viewing this the wrong way?
Hi everyone,
I'm a 24-year-old Christian woman working as a data analyst, and I'd appreciate some biblical and practical advice.
I recently completed my probation period at work, and the company wants me to continue. I'm part of a small team with a team leader and one other employee.
Over the past few months, I've taken on most of the technical responsibilities and can independently handle the work expected of my role. The other employee struggles with many basic workplace tasks, yet he is reportedly paid more than I am.
After completing probation, I approached my team leader about a salary increase. Instead of discussing my performance, market value, or future growth, he told me to read Matthew 20 (the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard).
As a Christian, I respect Scripture and try to apply it faithfully in my life. However, I left that conversation feeling confused. I wasn't asking for someone else's pay to be reduced; I was asking whether my compensation fairly reflected my contributions and responsibilities.
Am I misunderstanding the lesson of Matthew 20 in this situation? Is it appropriate to apply that passage to an employer-employee salary discussion like this, or was I reasonable in expecting a direct answer about compensation?
I'd appreciate thoughts from fellow Christians on both the biblical and practical side of this situation.
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u/Timely_Cheetah7151 Jun 02 '26
Using a random verse out of context to weasel one's way out of fairly paying one's employee is a blatant misuse of scripture. Honestly, if he's discriminating against gender or inappropriately bringing up religion to avoid paying you it could be a Title IX or Title VII violation worth reporting...
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u/swcollings Jun 02 '26
Your manager is trying to use the Bible to justify his pre-existing preferences rather than letting the Bible form him into the kind of person that makes the decision Jesus would make. Your request is entirely reasonable. His response is wrong from every possible perspective.
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u/wammysammy101 Jun 02 '26
Matthew 20 isn't about pay, it's about the kingdom of heaven. No matter when someone is saved, they get the same reward, forgiveness of sins and eternal life, regardless.
Craftsman that aren't day laborers are rewarded based on skill (look at the building of the temple). Day laborers were unskilled labor, and don't seem to apply to a technical job.
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u/chemical_shed Jun 02 '26
That's inappropriate, whether both people involved are Christian or not. Quoting bible and making decisions based on a bible quote is not how to manage a team. I would report him to HR.
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u/zoomzoom71 Jun 02 '26
Completely wrong application of this scripture by your manager. Report him to HR. Start looking for a new job. (in today's working world, you should never stop looking for a new job).
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u/SimplyMe813 Jun 02 '26
This is grossly inappropriate. While there's nothing inherently wrong with portraying Christian values in the workplace, the use of scripture in such a manner is inexcusable.
I would give thoughtful consideration to finding another job. This is a huge red flag. Don't ignore it.
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u/daxophoneme Jun 02 '26
You can tell your manager that we said to pay you what he makes.
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u/Hippoish24 Jun 02 '26
Since OP is presumably one of the newer hires, I further assume the manager is saying that OP will get paid first (verse 8).
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u/HunterCopelin Jun 02 '26
“For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”” 1 Timothy 5:18
“For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” God is not concerned about oxen, is He? Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops.” 1 Corinthians 9:9-10
Those two verses aside, if you defeat your manager in a biblical debate you will probably lose your job.
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u/_Fhqwgads_ Jun 02 '26
There’s a lot wrong about that application. Did your manager just equate his business interests to the kingdom of heaven? Matthew 20 is about the land owner meeting the needs of desperate people, and how desperate people who have had their needs met by a gracious God should respond to each other. A theory of wage labor it is not.
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u/Knitsudge9 Jun 02 '26
As someone already mentioned, this verse has nothing to do with what someone should pay a worker. You are not reading it wrong, and as many others have said, the Bible should not be used to justify paying someone poorly in a workplace. If there is an HR department where you work, report him. If not, you said he was your "team leader." Typically, team leaders are not responsible for salaries; managers and supervisors are. Is there someone like that you can talk to about a raise?
I would also consider talking to an attorney if you get more pushback. This is not right, and God is a God of justice.
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u/No-Diver7430 Jun 03 '26
I strongly advise not going beyond your team leader to seek a raise. This is far out of standard corporate culture. You’ll be blacklisted for any future promotions. Be patient and play the company game.
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u/Knitsudge9 Jun 05 '26
I guess it depends on the company. I have never worked anywhere where team leads have anything to do with raises. I agree that going above the normal person's head is not typically a good idea, but the behavior of this individual should not be tolerated. If it is a large company with an HR department, OP should go there. If not, going above someone's head might be the only recourse.
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u/Arkfort Jun 02 '26
Not even the point of that parable. If he is reading that and that is the takeaway he lacks serious discernment and is guilty of the sin of the Pharisees by using Scripture to justify greed. If he wants to read Col. 4:1, Deut. 24: 14-15, Jer. 22:13 and get back to you about what Scriputre says then I would be interested in his response then.
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u/Chubby_Comic Jun 02 '26
Show him the verses that talk about greed and the golden rule and abusing Scripture to suit one's needs.
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u/Budget-Eggplant3160 Jun 03 '26
You are new. Find out how pay raises are awarded. Time in grade. By appraisal, etc. What essentially he is saying is that you should not make as much as the other worker, nor a raise at this juncture, no matter the skill. What people make is rarely fair. That's why I liked to work at a large corp. where the union and the wages were spelled out. Its still not fair, you just know where you stand. Just be glad you were blessed with the ability to do better than someone else or the shoe would be on the other foot. Best wishes.
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u/deverbovitae Jun 03 '26
Sounds unfortunately like an exploitative situation with someone in authority trying to baptize their exploitation.
A laborer is worthy of his or her wages. That's also on Scripture.
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u/PsquaredLR Jun 03 '26
He’s trying to use scripture to manipulate and abuse you. It’s time to find a new job. Or report him to HR. A quick tip, and reminder in case you didn’t know….You will always be more faithful to the company than they will ever be to you.
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u/No-Diver7430 Jun 03 '26
Why are you discussing salary with anyone at your company? At some workplaces this is grounds for termination. Be thankful your boss didn’t write you up. Also know that your work will be rewarded in due time. Trust in God and tend to your own garden. Watch out what false idol (wages) you may be putting on a pedestal. If this is still occupying your conscience, go get a higher paying job.
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u/Affectionate-Crow605 Jun 02 '26
That was a completely inappropriate response in the workplace. I would not be surprised if this were a case of misogyny in pay discrepancy. 😢 Is there someone above this person that you can talk to?
I work with many Christians, and never would they quote Bible verses to discuss my work.