Earthly and Heavenly Rewards

 This week we studied the parable in Matthew 20:1-16

One of the things that helps me to understand the scriptures better is when I apply them to my own life and I will be honest, each time I read this parable and put myself in the place of the laborers, I completely sympathized with those who put in the full days labor, but when I think about it in relation to the gospel, I think it is great.

Why the difference in attitude and understanding? 

I think it's because when I think about working for money I am calculating what I am going to do with that money.  I am going to use it to pay my bills and feed my family.  But when I think about laboring in the gospel, I don't think about the rewards the same way.  I know that I will receive blessings along the way.  I know that my worries will be less.  I will learn and grow in a variety of ways. My life has been made richer and more meaningful because of the blessings and confidence I have gained by "laboring" in the gospel.

In contrast, I know many who have wandered and struggled to find meaning in their lives because they do not have the gospel.  It is so beautiful to see them find the gospel and join the church.  I would not want them to be denied from any of the blessings. The fact that they get the same reward does not take away from the experiences I have had or diminish my "pay" in any way.  It actually makes me happier because I am able to share it with them and I know that their lives will be easier.

As I typed that last paragraph I suddenly began to have that same sympathy for the laborers in the parable.  How hard was their life all day long when they searched for a way to make a living and provide for their families?  Were they hungry?  Were they worried?  The laborers who started first thing in the morning knew that their needs would be fulfilled, they simply needed to complete their work. They had begun receiving the blessings immediately just like those who "labor" in the gospel.