Understanding God's Grace: The First Shall Be Last

God's kingdom does not operate the way the world does. Human nature is deeply invested in fairness, effort, and reward. People naturally assume that those who work harder, sacrifice more, or dedicate themselves to a cause should be rewarded accordingly. This belief system is deeply ingrained in society, dictating the structures of economies, careers, and personal relationships. However, God's way of working does not fit within this framework. The grace He extends is not something that can be earned, nor is it given in a way that always aligns with human expectations.?

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard. A landowner goes out early in the morning to hire laborers. He agrees to pay them a fair wage and sends them to work in his vineyard. Throughout the day, he continues hiring more workers, even up until the last hour of the day. When the time comes for payment, he gives the same wage to those who worked a full day and those who only worked a short time. The ones who had been there since morning protest, believing they deserve more. The landowner reminds them that he is being fair in paying what he originally agreed. More importantly, he questions their resentment toward his generosity.?

This parable offers a striking picture of how God's grace operates. It is not distributed based on effort or length of service. Those who expect to receive more because they have done more may be surprised to find that God’s rewards are given according to His own will. This is a challenging reality, especially for those who pride themselves on their dedication and sacrifice. Yet, Jesus makes it clear that in the kingdom of God, the first will be last and the last will be first.?

This concept extends beyond just rewards in heaven. It speaks to the very nature of God's grace and the way He calls people into His service. Many who seem unworthy by human standards find themselves lifted to places of honor. Others, who have spent years in religious devotion, may find that their sense of entitlement blinds them to the true nature of God’s generosity. The kingdom of heaven is not built on human merit. It is built on God’s sovereign will and His boundless grace.?

This teaching can be difficult to accept, especially for those who have sacrificed greatly for their faith. The disciples themselves struggled with this reality. Peter once asked Jesus what their reward would be for leaving everything behind to follow Him. Jesus assured them that they would be rewarded, but He also emphasized that many who are first will be last and the last will be first. The implication is clear. God's generosity does not conform to human logic.?

The idea of the last being first and the first being last is seen throughout Scripture. God chose David, the youngest and least likely of Jesse’s sons, to be king of Israel. He called Moses, a man slow of speech, to lead His people. He raised up Gideon, a man who saw himself as weak and insignificant, to defeat Israel’s enemies. Time and again, God bypasses those who seem strong in human eyes and elevates those who appear weak. This is not because God enjoys reversing expectations arbitrarily. It is because His power is made perfect in weakness.?

Paul understood this truth well. Before his conversion, he was a man of great religious standing, zealous for the law, and convinced of his own righteousness. After encountering Christ, he realized that all his achievements were worthless compared to the surpassing value of knowing Jesus. He later wrote that God chooses the weak things of the world to shame the strong and the foolish things to shame the wise. Paul’s own life was a testimony to this principle. Once a persecutor of Christians, he became one of the greatest apostles, but he never forgot that his standing was not based on his own merit.?

This perspective challenges the way believers view success, recognition, and spiritual achievement. It is easy to fall into the mindset of measuring one’s faithfulness by outward results. Many people assume that if they have served God diligently for years, they should receive greater blessings. Some expect to be acknowledged for their sacrifices, their knowledge of Scripture, or their acts of service. When others, who seem to have done less, receive the same grace and favor, it can be difficult to accept.?

Jesus warns against this attitude. In another parable, He speaks of a Pharisee and a tax collector who both go to pray. The Pharisee thanks God that he is not like other sinners and lists his religious accomplishments. The tax collector, on the other hand, simply cries out for mercy. Jesus makes it clear that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, goes home justified. This is another example of the first being last and the last being first. The one who appeared righteous in human eyes was actually distant from God, while the one who recognized his own unworthiness received grace.?

This truth has profound implications for how believers live their lives. It requires a shift in perspective, away from striving for recognition and toward humble trust in God’s goodness. It challenges the natural inclination to compare one’s journey with others. When someone else receives a blessing that seems undeserved, the response should not be resentment but gratitude for the reminder that all good things come from God’s generosity, not human effort.?

God’s grace also extends to those who come to faith late in life. Some people spend their entire lives serving God, while others turn to Him only in their final moments. The thief on the cross had no time to do great works or prove his devotion, yet Jesus assured him that he would be in paradise. This demonstrates that salvation is not earned but given freely to those who receive it.?

This truth should bring comfort rather than frustration. It means that no one is beyond redemption. It means that God’s love is not measured out in portions based on effort. It means that those who feel they have wasted years of their lives can still receive the same grace as those who have walked faithfully for decades.?

It also serves as a warning against spiritual pride. Those who assume they are more deserving because of their long history of service must remember that everything they have is a gift from God. No one has room to boast. Even the most devoted believer is entirely dependent on God’s mercy.?

Jesus’ teaching on the first being last and the last being first is ultimately about the nature of God’s kingdom. It is a kingdom where grace, not merit, is the standard. It is a kingdom where human expectations are overturned so that God’s glory is revealed. Those who embrace this truth find freedom from comparison and the joy of simply trusting in God’s goodness. Those who resist it may find themselves struggling with resentment and misunderstanding the very nature of God’s love.?

In the end, the question is not who is first or last but whether one is willing to accept God’s grace on His terms. Those who approach Him with humility, rather than entitlement, will find themselves welcomed into His kingdom with open arms.?