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PARABLE: of money and self-worth

 {PARABLE} of money and self-worth_ 

Matthew 19: 16-30 / 20:1-16 

 
“You deserve the best!” “Demand your rights!” “I’m worth it!” People today want everything that’s coming to them, and they want it now. Convinced of our own worth, we demand higher paying jobs, better working conditions and more benefits. If any of these are denied, we feel we have been treated unfairly – and perhaps our feelings are justified. 

 
[Group discussion starter] List as many examples as you can think of that demonstrate how our society links people’s value with their wealth. 

 
What happens when we treat God like a divine employer? In this passage Jesus challenges our human concepts of fairness and worth. He shows us that Kingdom values are often the opposite of what we expect... 

[Read Matthew 19: 16-30] 

 
What themes do you see running through these verses? 
 

 
Before answering the man’s question (in verse 16), Jesus asks a question of his own (in verse 17). Why? 
 

 
How do you think that the man felt about this exchange? 
 

 
Jesus replies, “If you want to enter life, obey the commandments” (verse 17). 
If the New Testament teaches that we cannot be saved by obeying the law, then what does Jesus mean here? 
 

 
In verse 20, the man implies that he has kept all ten commandments. 
Looking at the text, would you say that this is a true statement? 
What value would you see in following Jesus’ model here, as you present the gospel to non-Christians? 

 

 
In Biblical times, people thought that wealth was a reward for righteousness. 
In verses 23-26, how does Jesus challenge this view? 
 

 
According to this passage, what hope do people have of being saved? 
 

 
What can we learn from the rich man in this story? 
 

 
[Read Matthew 20:1-16] 

 
How does this parable arise out of the discussion over the rich young man (especially in 19:27-30 and 20:16)? 
 

 
Imagine that you had “borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day” (in verse 12) and yet you were paid the same as those who only worked one hour. How would you feel and why? 
 

 
In verses 13-15, although the landowner’s actions seem unfair, he claims they are not. 
Why aren’t they unfair? 
 

 
The landowner clearly represents God. 
How do God’s values, as seen in this parable, conflict with society’s values? 
 

 
What can we learn from God’s generosity as shown in this parable? 

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