Things often seem backward in the kingdom of God. Jesus said that the last would be first and the first would be last. Those who lose their lives are the ones who live. He also made it clear that those who were ahead financially were not necessarily ahead spiritually. The church at Laodicea didn't understand this concept. They were a rich congregation, able to afford whatever they wanted. They thought wealth meant that they were blessed by God, but as Pastor Ken points out today, that was not the case.