{study in a modern translation}

Free gift: Ro 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ:

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 before you.

Are there degrees of greatness/blessing? Mt 5:19 Whoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 1Co 15:41 [There is] one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for [one] star differs from [another] star in glory. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

What's the point of the parable? Lu 19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spoke a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

Can one lose reward? 2Jo 1:8 Look to yourselves, that you lose not those things which we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward. Mt 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen by them: otherwise ye have no reward from your Father who is in heaven 1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds upon it. But let every man take heed how he builds upon it.1 4 If any man's work abides which he has built upon it, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

How does one lay up treasure in heaven? Mt 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Mt 5:46 For if ye love them who love you, what reward have ye? do not even the tax collectors the same?

What happens when Christ is revealed? key chapter!! 1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you, 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though tried with fire, might be found to result in praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

With what is reward equated?  Col 3:23 And whatever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men; 24 Knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. OT parallel?

Why did Christ take hold of Paul? Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I press on, to take hold of that for which also I am taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye are otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this to you.

For what were the ancients commended? Heb 11:2 For by it the elders were commended

What motivated Paul? 1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so I fight, not as one that beats the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1Co 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

What motivated Abraham? Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

What Motivated Moses? Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect to the recompence of the reward.

What motivated early martyrs and those persecuted? Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: Heb 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the plundering of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompence of reward.36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye 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 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, [even] thy God, has anointed thee with the oil of joy above thy fellows)

What motivates people who don't diligently pursue God?

What motivates you?

What about those who don't overcome? Re 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? Ro 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 thee; 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? 2Co 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted by him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2Co 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? Ro 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that works good...

What about those who don't believe in reward for service? Heb 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.