Earthly and Heavenly Rewards

1. Review Matthew 19:16–30 and write responses to the following questions and tasks:
• What indications can you find that suggest why the young man decided not to follow the Savior? How does Matthew 6:19–24 help explain his choice?
  He was sad and sorrowful when the Savior told him that he needed to sell all his possessions. It helps explain his choice because not only does it tell us how he felt and that he walked away, but that Jesus used the situation as an opportunity to teach his disciples the law of consecration.
• What blessings did the Savior promise to those who make sacrifices to follow Him?
  The last shall be first, we’ll inherit everlasting life, obtain treasures in heaven, enter into the kingdom of God.
• 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).
  It comes down to being willing to sacrifice everything for God.  Family, homes, lands, everything to receive the kingdom of God and have everlasting life.  In perspective, it should be relatively easy to give up what we have because the reason we have it is because of the blessings that God has given us.  We are indebted to him because he blesses us, so it would be like giving back what’s already his.
2. 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	A penny a day	All day (9+)	A penny
In the third hour	A penny	9	A penny
In the sixth hour	A penny	6	A penny
In the ninth hour	A penny	3	A penny
In the eleventh hour	A penny	1	A 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?
  All are treated equally and receive equal blessings for following the commandments and gospel of Jesus Christ.
• What message of comfort can this parable have for converts to the Church?
  They won’t receive anything less just because they didn’t have the opportunity to partake of the gospel earlier in life.
• What would you tell someone who feels it is unfair for each of the laborers to be paid equally?
  It’s not unfair, because they’ve had the opportunity to work (serve God) for a longer period of time.  They’ve had more time to receive blessings (pay).
  
  **What a blessing it is to know that God is fair and just.  He has mercy and is able to exercise it for our benefit.  No matter when we embrace the gospel and all it has to offer, we will still be benefiting from the Lord and his infinite generosity.