Matthew 20:16 And Jesus concluded, "So those who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last."

In Matthew chapter 19 Peter had asked what rewards the disciples would get for following Jesus, and the chapter ends with Jesus saying, " And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake, will receive a hundred times more and will be given eternal life. But many who now are first will be last, and many who now are last will be first." ( Matthew 19:29-30) Then Jesus told a parable to explain that last sentence. He starts the parable with these words; "For the kingdom of Heaven is like a man, a housemaster, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard." (Matthew 20:1) The first thing for us to notice is that Jesus said this is what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. All through this parable keep in mind this is representing how things are done in Kingdom of Heaven.

The next part of the parable talks about the housemaster, or vineyard owner, going out to hire people. Here are the verses:

"And when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace. And he said to them, You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you. And they went. And he went out about the sixth and ninth hour and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, Why do you stand here all day idle? They said to him, Because no one has hired us. He said to them, You also go into the vineyard, and you shall receive whatever is right." Matthew 20:2-7

Notice that the people were standing idle in the marketplace. They were not idle out of laziness, the marketplace was where a person went to find work. They were waiting where they could be found and were willing to go when called. They didn't go storming into the man's vineyard and start working without his permission. Any vineyard owner would become upset with someone jumping in and working without being hired and getting instructions on what needed to be done. Without proper training and instructions the vineyard could be damaged as could the product of the vine. This is how a Christian worker should be. Too often we jump in and start doing things that end up making things worse, rather than making ourselves completely available to God and being willing to go when He calls us into action. We need to spend time talking with God, getting to know Him, His desires for us, and learning how He wants the work done.

When it came time to pay the workers, the parable take an interesting turn. Take a look at what happens:

"So when evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his steward, Call the laborers and pay them their wage, beginning from the last to the first. And when they who were hired about the eleventh hour came, they each one received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would received more; and they also each one received a denarius. And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house, saying, These last have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them and said, Friend, I do you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take yours, and go; I will give to this last one the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with my own? Is your eye evil because I am good?" (Matthew 20:8-15) If you're like me, you're thinking, "This isn't fair!" Remember, Jesus isn't talking about business in this world, He is talking about business in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus ends the parable by saying this; " So the last shall be first, and the first last, for many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 20:16)

God is the Master of this world, this universe, and of Heaven. He can, and will, do what He sees is best. In Heaven all are equal. It doesn't matter if you've been working for Him for 40 years or 40 minutes, all are considered equal. Jesus also said, "many are called, but few are chosen." I believe some will not be chosen because they were not willing to respond to the call, or not willing to be trained and do things God's way. Often a person in a ministry will begin to think too highly of themselves. When that happens, they are no longer following the call of God. They are following their own desires and wishes. Working in a ministry for God is serious business. Souls are at risk of being damaged by the person who is no longer listening to God's instructions. The person working for God is doing a work of service. It requires a humble spirit and a complete submission to God. There is no clamoring for attention or position. Just quietly and humbly doing the work God has asked. God already gave us eternal life by giving up His Son. What more could we possibly want? He already gave us His most precious gift!