The first will be last and the last will be first. Now that really is a paradox, and we just can’t understand it. Maybe this is one of those parables we can ignore or just forget? It is so unfair, and it certainly does not fit into our style of life these days. Maybe it is a mystery, just as life is a mystery. Isaiah is right when he says, “God’s thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways God’s ways.” We will never understand God’s ways nor His generous love unless we let God be God with a deep trusting faith, knowing Him as Father who cares for all that He has created.

The parable of the workers tells us about God’s great generosity, which, from our human perspective, just does not make any sense. It does seem to be unfair. However, life is not set up to be fair, if “fair” means “everyone gets the same thing.” Some will get cancer. A few will strike it rich. Some will be born beautiful. Others will have natural athletic talent. And of course, a precious few will be rich, beautiful, athletic and healthy! Some others will be poor, uncoordinated and just plain, ordinary people. And we don’t understand why. After all, why should those late or lazy workers receive the same pay as those who have endured the heat of the day?

Maybe we feel that way because we are envious. Maybe we have forgotten that we are not in business with God. We cannot earn His love. It has already been given. There are no limits to that love and not only that, NO ONE IS EXCLUDED, even those we think are unworthy—the sinners, those not well-born or educated, those who are idle, too lazy and unwilling to work. Each and every one, saint and sinner, has a place in God’s Kingdom of Love, no matter who we are or what we have done or even when we are called.

God is God; holy, perfect in every way, regardless of what we say or do with our lives. God does not seek revenge or become angry at our conduct. All of our failures and foolishness, all of our sins do not cause Him harm, nor does our goodness increase His divine sense of being. It is frightening to think about it, but God does not need anyone to make His life more fulfilling. The mystery is that God loves every one of us. Like the landowner in the parable, God is generous to all, no matter what hour they are invited to work in His vineyard.

Well, ours is not to reason why; ours is to conduct ourselves well, as Paul so often reminds us. We are to be worthy of the Gospel. We are to extend to others the generous love that has been lavished upon us. We are to love as God loves, and that is not easy. We are to love our enemies, do good to those who would harm us, turn the other check, go the extra mile and do all those things that are contrary to what the world would have us do. For whatsoever you do to the least of His brethren, all those who suffer unfairly, you do to Him. Loving service is the measure of greatness among us.

In God’s vineyard, His kingdom, we don’t work for pay or salary. As followers of His Son, we are freely given the rewards of joy, peace, happiness and love as we gladly serve God and His people.You and I have received a full day’s wage for working only one hour.

And that is why, “The first will be the last and the last will be first.”

God bless.

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