Week 7

Choice 1: Earthly and Heavenly Rewards

1. Review Matthew 19:16–30 and write responses to the following questions and tasks:
2. • What indications can you find that suggest why the young man decided not to follow the Savior? The young man went away sorrowful, which tells me he found no joy in what the Savior was teaching, and inviting him to do. He realized he did not want to give up what he owned and so he went away. How does Matthew 6:19–24 help explain his choice? It shows that the young man’s heart was truly on his possessions and not on following Christ. The young’s man’s possessions were more important to him than Christ.
   • What blessings did the Savior promise to those who make sacrifices to follow Him? They will receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life(eternal life.)
• Based on the Savior’s response to Peter, write a paragraph that could help you put the Lord first in your life (see also the additional details in Mark 10:17–31).  I like the further explanation in Mark where the Lord says “…for them that trust in riches…” This tells me that having wealth is not the problem, wealth alone will not keep me from the kingdom of heaven.  My love of riches, my trust in riches instead of trusting in the Lord will keep me out of the kingdom. I need to look to the apostles and their example, they put the Lord first in their lives.  All things in life regardless of what it is, wealth, status, job, sports, enjoyment, or whatever.  If I put that before the Lord, make it more important than Him, then I am lost, like that young man that went away sorrowful. I must be willing to forsake all things for the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Review the parable in Matthew 20:1–16 and consider what rewards come to those who serve in the Lord’s kingdom. Complete the chart below, filling in the blanks with information you find in Matthew 20:

The hour the laborers were hired	How much the man agreed to pay	Hours worked	How much they were actually paid
Early in the morning-6am	One penny(Denarius) a day	Twelve	One penny
Third hour-9am	Whatsoever is right	Nine	One penny
Sixth hour-Noon	Whatsoever is right	Six	One penny
Ninth hour-3pm	Whatsoever is right	Three	One penny
Eleventh Hour-5pm	Whatsoever is right	One	One penny

3. Respond in writing to each of the following questions:

• What do we learn from this parable about serving in the Lord’s kingdom? The Lord loves everyone equally and is prepared to bless all with the greatest of all gifts, eternal life, regardless of their calling, or when they joined the church. As long as we fulfill our callings and endure to  the end we will be rewarded.
• What message of comfort can this parable have for converts to the Church? It’s wonderful because it does not matter how they lived their life before, the gospel is the great equalizer.  This parable tells them even though they joined the church late, if they work hard at the harvest(living the gospel, serving, enduring to the end) they too will be rewarded with whatsoever is right. With all our Father has.
• What would you tell someone who feels it is unfair for each of the laborers to be paid equally? Why should I be jealous because someone else receives a blessing I don’t seem to have? Who am I to tell the Lord who should or should not be blessed.  It is the Lord’s kingdom so He can decide to bless us as He sees fit.  I should be grateful at the blessings and good fortune of others. As I recognize the blessings others receive it makes it easier to see my own blessings.