God’s Grace Isn’t Fair… and That’s Good News

As teachers, we work hard. We put in long hours, pour out patience we didn’t know we had, and sometimes wonder if anyone even notices. And when we see someone else succeed more quickly—or with what looks like less effort—it can sting.

I had one of those moments the other night.

I was on YouTube watching a video on a topic I had also made a video about. I noticed the channel had 32,000 subscribers. Out of curiosity, I clicked their channel… and that was the only video they had ever posted. One video. Thousands of subscribers.

I’ll be honest—I felt comparison creeping in. The enemy loves to whisper in moments like that: “Why them? Why not you?”

But then I listened again. Her testimony was beautiful. She had returned to the Church, and her story gave glory to God. I started praying, rebuking the enemy, and asking God to help me trust His process and celebrate others’ success. Because comparison is not fruitful—it only steals joy.

And that’s when Matthew 20 came alive for me.

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16)

Jesus tells the story of a landowner who hires workers for his vineyard.

• Some start early in the morning.

• Others are hired at noon.

• Others in the late afternoon.

• And finally, some are hired at the very last hour.

At the end of the day, every worker—no matter when they started—received the same wage. The early workers complained, “That’s not fair!” But the landowner reminded them: “Didn’t I pay you what I promised? Am I not allowed to be generous with others?”

And then Jesus closes with this upside-down Kingdom truth:“The last shall be first, and the first shall be last.”

What This Means for Us as Teachers

1. God’s Kingdom Isn’t About Fairness—It’s About Grace

In the classroom, we like things to feel fair. Equal turns, equal supplies, equal time. But God’s Kingdom doesn’t run on fairness—it runs on grace. Grace means that someone who comes to Christ at the very last hour still receives the same eternal reward as someone who has served Him their whole life.

That’s not unfair—that’s mercy.

2. Comparison Steals Our Joy

When I caught myself comparing on YouTube, I realized I was acting like the early workers in the vineyard. I was so focused on what someone else received that I almost missed the gift in my own hands.

God’s generosity toward someone else doesn’t take away from me. In fact, it proves just how good He is.

3. Faithfulness Matters More Than Recognition

As teachers, some of our students “get it” right away. Others might not bloom until the very last week of school. That doesn’t make their growth any less valuable.

Our calling is not to measure who started first or who got noticed—it’s to remain faithful in the vineyard where God has placed us. The results and rewards are in His hands.

Final Encouragement

So, teacher friend, if you’re feeling overlooked—or if you’ve caught yourself comparing your journey to someone else’s—remember this:

• God sees you.

• His Kingdom doesn’t run on comparison—it runs on grace.

• His reward is eternal life, and it’s the same for all of us.

That’s the kind of “unfair” we can rejoice in.

A Prayer for Teachers

“Lord Jesus, thank You for inviting me into Your vineyard. Forgive me when I compare myself to others. Help me to trust Your timing and celebrate the blessings You pour out on those around me. Keep me rooted in Your grace, so that I can bear fruit in my classroom and in my life. Amen.”

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