WHY GOD’S PROMOTION SYSTEM WORKS BACKWARDS

It’s the sort of hiring practice that could get any HR manager fired—except it’s God’s way. Picture this: A business owner pays workers who showed up at 5 PM the same wage as those who worked all day in the blazing sun. The early workers are furious. The late arrivals are stunned. Any employment lawyer would have a field day.

Yet this is exactly how Jesus describes His Father’s kingdom in Matthew 20. “So the last will be first, and the first will be last” (v. 16). It’s a statement that9 makes our merit-based minds recoil—and reveals everything wrong with how we think about success, worth, and God’s grace. From His perspective.

 

THE PROBLEM: WHY THE VERSE MAKES US UNCOMFORTABLE

We live in a world where fairness means proportional rewards. Work harder, earn more. Show up first, get served first. Climb the ladder rung by rung. It’s the social contract we’ve all signed, and Jesus just tore it up.

The parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) hits us right in our sense of justice. The workers who laboured for 12 hours received exactly what they agreed to work for—a fair day’s wage. But when the latecomers received the same amount for one hour’s work, suddenly “fair” felt unfair.

This is our problem. We’ve confused fairness with sameness, and we’ve made merit the measure of worth. In our economy, you get what you earn. In God’s economy, you get what He gives. And that makes us deeply uncomfortable because it exposes a truth we don’t want to face: none of us actually deserves what we’ve received from Him.

 

THE CONTEXT: JESUS REDEFINES SUCCESS

Jesus narrated this parable right after the rich young ruler walked away from eternal life because the price was too high (Matthew 19:16-22). Peter, watching this unfold, asked the obvious question: “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” (Matthew 19:27).

It’s a very human question. Peter had made sacrifices. He’d given up his fishing business, left his family, endured hardship. Surely that counted for something in God’s reward system?

Jesus’ answer through the parable is both reassuring and unsettling: God’s generosity isn’t limited by our calculations. The kingdom of heaven operates on grace, not merit. And grace—unmerited favour—means some people will receive far more than they “deserve.” Others will receive exactly what they deserve and still complain it isn’t enough.

 

THE REFORMED TRUTH: GRACE OVERTURNS HUMAN SYSTEMS

Here’s where the rubber meets the road theologically. The last becoming first isn’t just a nice sentiment—it’s the heart of the Gospel. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Grace doesn’t just supplement our efforts; it completely overturns our merit-based thinking. God chooses “the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” and “the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27). Tax collectors enter the kingdom before Pharisees (Luke 18:9-14). Prodigal sons get parties while elder brothers sulk and pout outside (Luke 15:11-32).

It’s the pattern that runs throughout Scripture because it reveals God’s character. He delights in showing mercy to the undeserving, which is good news for all of us since that’s exactly what we are.

 

CHRIST’S EXAMPLE: THE ULTIMATE REVERSAL

The most stunning example of the last becoming first is Jesus Himself. Though He was “in very nature God,” He “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:6-7). The first became last so the last could become first.

On the cross, the cosmic reversal reached its climax. The greatest shame became the greatest glory. The ultimate defeat became the ultimate victory. The King died as a criminal so criminals could become children of the King.

This is why Jesus could say, “Whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:44). He wasn’t just teaching a principle—He was describing His own mission. And He calls us to follow the same path of humble service that leads, paradoxically, to true greatness.

 

LIVING THE UPSIDE-DOWN KINGDOM

So what does this look like practically? It means we stop fighting for our “rightful place” and start serving from our secure place in Christ. Instead of demanding recognition for our efforts, we find joy in seeing others succeed—even when they seem to “cut in line.”

It means embracing what Paul called “considering others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3), not because they’ve earned it, but because that’s how grace works. Grace isn’t a zero-sum game where someone else’s blessing diminishes yours. God’s favour multiplies when we share it freely.

Such a mindset transforms how we handle workplace promotions, church leadership, social recognition, even family dynamics. When we’re secure in God’s love, we don’t need to be first in human hierarchies. We’re free to serve, to lift others up, to celebrate their successes without feeling diminished.

 

THE BETTER WAY: WHY GOD’S SYSTEM ACTUALLY WORKS

Here’s the remarkable thing: God’s backward promotion system doesn’t just work—it works better than ours.

Humility creates unity where pride builds walls. Servant leaders multiply other leaders instead of creating dependent followers. When we stop competing for limited recognition and start operating from unlimited grace, entire communities are transformed.

God’s economy is sustainable in a way human meritocracy never can be. Merit-based systems eventually burn people out because the pressure to perform never ends. But grace-based living flows from an identity that’s already secure, creating leaders who serve from fullness rather than emptiness.

Most importantly, God’s way reflects His character. He “looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7), values faithfulness over fame, and measures success by love rather than achievement. His timing is perfect, His methods are just. And what’s more: His rewards are eternal.

 

EMBRACING THE REVERSAL

“The last will be first, and the first will be last” isn’t just a nice saying—it’s the heartbeat of the Gospel. When we embrace this upside-down kingdom, we discover something beautiful: we stop needing to be first because we’re already chosen, already loved, already secure in Christ.

The vineyard owner in Jesus’ parable asked the complaining workers, “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:15). God’s generosity to others isn’t a threat to us—it’s a promise. The same grace that lifts up the last will sustain us, transform us, and ultimately bring us home.

In God’s kingdom, there’s room for everyone, recognition for the humble, and rewards beyond anything we could earn or imagine. That’s not just better than the world’s system—it’s the only system that truly works.

 

THE LAST WILL BE FIRST: RELATED FAQs

Did Jesus mean this principle applies literally to all situations, or was He using hyperbole? Reformed scholars like John Calvin viewed this as a fundamental kingdom principle rather than mere exaggeration. The “reversal” isn’t always literal positioning but reflects God’s consistent pattern of elevating the humble and humbling the proud. DA Carson notes Jesus often used vivid language to communicate eternal truths that transcend specific circumstances.

• How does “the last will be first” relate to God’s sovereignty in election? This passage beautifully illustrates unconditional election—God’s choice isn’t based on human merit or timing. RC Sproul emphasised the labourers didn’t choose when to be called; the master chose when to call them. Those called at the “eleventh hour” represent God’s sovereign grace in salvation, which comes to the elect according to His timing, not their worthiness.
• So, should we expect surprises in heaven about who receives greater rewards? Absolutely. The quiet Sunday school teacher who faithfully served for decades may receive crowns while famous pastors stand amazed. The immigrant cleaning lady who prayed for her employers daily might be honoured above CEOs. CS Lewis captured this beautifully in The Great Divorce—heaven’s hierarchy will shock us because God sees hearts, not headlines.

Does this teaching contradict the biblical principle that hard work should be rewarded? Not at all. Scripture affirms diligent work (Proverbs 31, 2 Thessalonians 3:10), but distinguishes between earthly rewards and kingdom rewards. John MacArthur explains that we should work heartily as unto the Lord while remembering that ultimate rewards flow from God’s grace, not our performance. The parable challenges our assumptions about deserving, not about working.

• How does Reformed theology reconcile this with the doctrine of sanctification and growing in holiness? Reformed theology maintains that sanctification is both God’s work and our responsibility. Charles Spurgeon taught the “last will be first” doesn’t diminish the importance of spiritual growth but reminds us even our progress in holiness is a gift of grace. We pursue godliness not to earn position but because we’re already positioned in Christ.
• What about Christians who struggle with mental illness or disabilities—does this principle offer them hope? Profoundly, yes. Those whom society often overlooks or considers “less productive” may be first in God’s kingdom. Joni Eareckson Tada, paralysed since 17, often speaks of how physical limitations can produce spiritual treasures that able-bodied people might never discover. God’s economy values faithfulness in suffering over worldly achievement.

How should church leaders apply this principle in ministry and church governance? Church leadership should reflect servant leadership, with positions held humbly rather than grasped ambitiously. John Stott emphasised Christian leaders lead by serving, not by demanding honour. This means promoting based on character over charisma, celebrating behind-the-scenes servants, and remembering pastoral authority exists to build up the body, not elevate the leader.

 

THE LAST WILL BE FIRST: OUR RELATED POSTS

• The Kenosis: What Does It Mean that Jesus Emptied Himself?
• Washing of Feet: Are We To Apply John 13:14 Literally?
• Discipleship: What Does it Mean to Deny Ourselves and Take Up Our Cross Daily?