Bible Study: Matthew 20 + James 5:

1. Matthew 20:16 says “the last will be first and the first will be last.” What does this mean?
 2. What is it about humans that fairness plays such an important role in our lives?
 3. Why does fairness mean so much to us when we know life cannot be completely fair?
 4. We cannot earn our way with good works. So if you live a good life and your neighbor lives a sinful life, then asks for forgiveness, and you are both forgiven equally, then how is that fair?
 5. Are we allowed to do what we want with what we have? Or do we have to be fair?
 6. If we claim something is unfair, are being ungrateful? How? How are we like this in our day to day lives?
 7. Read James 5: 1-6. How do these sections relate?
 8. James 5 is a pretty harsh description of a sinful person. So if that person says, “God forgive me.” Are they at equal standing as someone who has continually lived a righteous life?
                   -You work hard in class and get good grades. A classmate slacks off then does a good job on the final assignment. You both end up with the same grade. Is this fair?
 9. Compare the farmer in James with the farmer in Matthew.
 10. According to James, how are we to live as Christians? It’s all God’s money so what does it matter if another worker got paid the same for less work?