The Parable Of The Free Agent Hockey Players

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a rich sports owner who went out at 6 AM on July 1st , free agency day, to find players for his hockey team. At the local Starbucks he found a Superstar player. He said, “I’ll make you a good offer. - $5 million per season.”

“About nine in the morning he went out again to Starbucks and saw other players waiting by their smartphones and sitting with their agents, anxiously waiting for a contract offer. He told them, ‘You also come and play on my team… and I will pay you well.’ So they also were pleased and came to the GM’s office.

“He went out again about noon and again about three in the afternoon and did the same thing – recruiting more players. About five in the afternoon he went out again to Starbucks and found a couple of fourth liners standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

“Because no one has offered us a contract – we may have to sign in the KHL,” they answered.

“He said to them, ‘Come along to my office with your agent and I’ll make you an offer.’

“At the end of the day, the owner of the hockey team said to his General Manager, ‘Call in the players and prepare their contracts, beginning with the fourth liners and going on to the superstars.’

“The players who were recruited about five in the afternoon came in and were offered a $5 million contract. So when those came who were recruited first, they expected to receive even more. But each one of them also received a $5 million. When they received it, they began to grumble against the owner. ‘These who were recruited last are rookies and fourth liners,’ they said, ‘and you have offered them the same money you’re offering us who have more talent, have scored more points and won more trophies. The players union will hear about this!

“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to play for my team? Take your contract and be content! I intend to give the fourth liners the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

“So the checkers will be honored, and the stars will be humbled.”

See Matthew 20:1-16