Choice 1: Matthew 19:16–30; 20:1–16. 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?

I think we can see how sorrowful because the young man knew he couldn’t give up his worldly possessions. We know this because in Matthew 19:22 it says “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” This young man also struggled with serving two masters. He knew he loved his possessions more than the Savior and therefore, couldn’t give up his riches.

• What blessings did the Savior promise to those who make sacrifices to follow Him?

In Matthew 6:20, 22, it says “(20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,….(22) The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”

• 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).

When looking at Peter’s response, verse thirty stood out to me the most. It says “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” When looking at this, I take it as the Savior saying that if we put him first on earth, he will but him first in the Kingdom of Heaven. Then in Matthew 19:29 it says “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” Everyone who focuses Christ and does anything for him, your riches shall be large in heaven.

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
1	1 penny	12	1 penny
3	1 penny	9	1 penny
6	1 penny	6	1 penny
9	1 penny	3	1 penny
11	1 penny	1	1 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?

It doesn’t matter how long you labor, as long as you do it with all your might, mind, and spirit. We will receive the same reward in the end.

• What message of comfort can this parable have for converts to the Church?

That not matter how long you labor, the Savior will still come and forgive your sins, like he has with mine.

• What would you tell someone who feels it is unfair for each of the laborers to be paid equally?

How unfair would it be for someone who had not had the opportunity to grow up in the church or who didn’t realize the value of the Church and comes in or back and labors just as hard as us? Then in the end the payment is only half of their sins forgiven. They did the same amount of work as they could and they deserve that full payment.