The Cornerstones of Stewardship: Parable of the Wicked Tenants and Our Calling

The parable in Luke 20:9-19 cuts to the quick. It’s not a pleasant story, and that's precisely the point. We’ve all encountered individuals who, given positions of authority or opportunity, betray the trust placed in them. The vineyard owner, representing God, diligently provides—a fertile land, the potential for abundance—and entrusts it to tenants. Yet, their response is not gratitude, but violence and rejection, culminating in the ultimate act of defiance against the owner's son. It's a microcosm of the tragic drama unfolding throughout scripture, from Cain’s offering to the rejection of prophets throughout Israel’s history—and ultimately, the betrayal of Jesus Christ.

The initial servants, sent to collect the fruit, are met with brutality. This echoes the prophets of old, those faithful messengers who bore witness of God’s will and were met with scorn and persecution (Jeremiah 26:23-24). The escalation of violence underscores a hardening of the heart, a deliberate rejection of correction. The tenants aren't simply negligent; they are actively hostile to righteousness.

But it is the treatment of the “beloved son” that truly stuns. This, of course, is Jesus. The tenants, blinded by avarice and self-interest, believe that by eliminating the heir, they can seize the inheritance for themselves. They fail to grasp the fundamental truth: that true ownership lies not in earthly possessions but in obedience to God’s will (Matthew 6:33). Their actions demonstrate a profound spiritual poverty, a desperate clinging to that which cannot ultimately satisfy.

The owner's response—the destruction of the wicked tenants and the bestowal of the vineyard upon others—is a stark reminder of God’s justice and His unwavering commitment to His covenant. It speaks to the principle of deliverance, where those who reject righteousness are displaced, and those who are faithful are given opportunity (D&C 45:54). The cornerstone imagery, cited by Jesus, is particularly potent. What the builders rejected—Christ—becomes the foundation upon which the entire structure of salvation is built (1 Corinthians 3:11). It’s a humbling truth: our rejections, our pride, our failures, can be transformed into instruments of God’s grace.

The Pharisees’ immediate rejection of this parable, and their attempt to seize Jesus, underscores the danger of spiritual blindness and the lengths to which those entrenched in their own self-righteousness will go to maintain their position. It's a pattern we see repeated throughout history, and one that demands constant self-examination.

This parable isn’t a theoretical exercise; it’s a call to action. How do we, as Latter-day Saints, steward the blessings we have been given? Are we actively seeking to cultivate the vineyard of our lives, or are we resisting the gentle promptings of the Spirit? Do we receive the messengers of God with open hearts, or do we harden our hearts against their counsel?

Consider the priesthood authority entrusted to us, the temple covenants we have made, the gospel truths we proclaim. Are we living as faithful stewards, or are we in danger of becoming like the wicked tenants?

President Russell M. Nelson has repeatedly urged us to examine our hearts and prioritize the work of the Lord. The parable of the wicked tenants serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of failing to heed that call. Let us strive to be those who receive the vineyard with gratitude, cultivate it with diligence, and yield forth fruit worthy of the Master’s praise.

May we all seek to cultivate hearts of humility and obedience, ever mindful of the profound responsibility entrusted to us.