The First, the Last and the Least

UV 3534/10000 The First, the Last  and the Least

So those who are last (in this world) shall be first ( in the world to come), and those who are first, last.”

 

Matthew 20 v 16

 

 

                           God’s standards of judging, rewarding and recognizing are different from those of this world.   Everyone is given salvation who believes and engages with the kingdom of God to labour for God in this world.  This is what God has agreed to give as part of the new covenant or agreement with man.  He is not going to give less of salvation to someone who joined the kingdom of God in the last hour of His life and hence, could not serve Him for long.   He is not giving more of salvation to those who served Him lifelong. 

 

 

                           Another dimension of this uni-verse is that we should not strive for riches or recognition or rewards of this world.  If we are first in this world, we could end up last in the kingdom of God.  Those who go through life unappreciated, not honoured or recognized may end up being most rewarded in heaven.  The Lord will undo any injustice.    His ways of judging and rewarding are not like the way of the world.    He judges the heart of man not his external acts.    The Lord weighs the motive behind our actions, words and thoughts.

 

                        God can use a ‘last hour’ worker in His vineyard or kingdom more effectively and with greater impact than someone who has been toiling all his life for the Lord.  It is not our efforts but His grace that determines the results or rewards.  Being faithful in whatever is given to us to do is the one thing we should focus on.  We should humble ourselves and not think that by virtue of whatever we have done we are entitled for certain rewards from God.    We should, in fact, that even if we are the last person in heaven, we would rejoice at that prospect and be thankful with our lives.