Justification/Forgiveness is a Free gift: Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ:
Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 not weary while doing good...reap if we do not lose heart.

I. What is the context of Mt 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so they persecuted the prophets
Are there degrees of greatness/blessing? Mt 5:19 breaks one of the least commandments, teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven;  whoever does and teaches them, shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 1Co 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. 58 my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

What's the point of the parable?  Lk 19:1 He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. 17 'Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.'
How to get reward? Mt 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,t 5:46 For if you love them who love you, what reward have you?
With what is reward equated?  Col 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men; 24 Knowing that from the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for you serve the Lord Christ. OT parallel (1Cor 10)?

II. Can one lose reward? 2Jn 1:8 Look to yourselves, that you lose not those things which we have worked for, but that you/we may receive a full reward. Mt 6:1 Take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen by them: otherwise you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven 1Cor 3:14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
What happens when Christ is revealed? key chapter!! 1Pt 1:4 (born again) to an inheritance...reserved in heaven for you, 7 That the trial of your faith...might be found to result in praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sound-minded, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

III. Why did Christ take hold of Paul? Php 3:12 Not...attained, or already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ laid hold of me. 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 as many as are mature, have this mindset
What motivated Paul? 1Cor 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty.  27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.  1Cor 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage/profit is it to me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.  See comments on DailyTruthbase.Blog on 2Cor 4-5; Rev 2-3 Eph 3:10

For what were the ancients commended? Heb 11:2 For by it the elders were commended
What motivated Abraham? Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed...to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance.
What motivated Moses?  11:26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
What motivated early martyrs?  11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection10:34 For you had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the plundering of your goods, knowing in yourselves that you have in heaven a better and an enduring substance 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great payback of reward.36 For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.
What motivated Jesus? Heb 12:2 Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (context of joy Heb 1:9 you hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy above you companions)

IV. What about those who don't overcome? Rev 3:21 To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father on his throne.
What about those who don't suffer? Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and/BUT joint-heirs with Christ; if we co-suffer with [him], that we may be co-glorified together.
What about those who don't follow? Mt 19:27...behold, we have forsaken all, and followed you; what shall we have therefore? 29 And every one that has 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. Mt 16:25 For whoever will save his life shall lose it: and whoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
What about those who don't labor? 2Cor 5:9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.  2Cor 4:17 For our momentary light affliction, works out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
What about those who don't seek? Rom 2:6 who "will render to each one according to his deeds": 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness - indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;
10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
What about those who don't believe in reward for service? Heb 11:6 without faith it is impossible to please him: he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response: What motivates people who don't diligently pursue God? What motivates you?