First Last, Last First

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. Matthew 19:30 (KJV)

In the Kingdom of God, things are not the same as in the world system. Who are the first in this verse? They are the people who push to promote themselves, who look our for themselves above everything else. And they often appear to be successful, wealthy, educated, and talented.

On the other hand, the last are those who put God’s agenda and the interests of others above themselves. They often appear to be at the bottom of the pile, the lowest, not known, looked over, not considered.

But God is just and He always balances the scales. Those that we thought had it all, those who have gained high positions now- at the cost of other people- will be the last and the least in the kingdom to come. That is, if they make it to heaven. Those who never thought of anyone but themselves will be humbled and placed in lower positions.

And what about those who are considered by the world to be the lowest? If they have been faithful, God will lift them up to higher places of authority.

Why? because God is concerned mostly with the motives of our hearts, our love walk, our desire to be pure from the contamination of the world. I am not saying that all successful or wealthy people are bad. I am not saying that God does not want us to be successful. But, many people who have received fame, fortune, and power, and did not do it God’s way will be lowered.

If you occupy what the world sees as a lowly position, don’t be concerned with the opinions of others. Regardless of what your career is or how much money you have, just be faithful with what you have where you are. Do what you do as unto to the Lord. He will make you ruler over much for being faithful over little (Matthew 25:21).

So how does one really become great in God’s kingdom? How do we qualify to be ruler over much?

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. Matthew 20:26 (New International Version, NIV)

We must first set our hearts to serve others. God seeks those who serve and have a heart to help others. When we serve others and when we are faithful over the small things, we are being prepared for bigger things. We prove to the Lord that we can handle the bigger things in the way He would have us to.

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” Matthew 19:14 (New Living Translation, NLT)

We must become child-like to beome Christ-like. Be humble and allow God to promote you. He will lift you up to where He wants you. Our heart attitude will decide our level of rulership with God.

To be great, be a servant of all, and to rule over much we must be faithful over the little. What we do now determines what we will do for eternity.