April 1931
1 73
T h è
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
BLACKBOARD LESSON
1 Cor. 15:10”). Neither did this servant count his earnings as his OVvri, for he laid them at his master’s feet.. V. 17. Well done, thou ¡.good, servant. The first arid greatest rewar'd"is the king’s approval (cf. 2 Tim. 2:4). Faithful in a very little.' It is not only in -the large and public ministry, but in the smallest duties in the most insignificant places that candidates for higher service and honor are tested. Over ten cities. This was great reward for a ' hutnbie servant who had accomplished great things with small capital Vs. 18, 19. Made five pounds: The low er rate of gain was doubtless due to the fact that he was less faithful than the other servant. Notice’that he received no “well done” from the king. Because he showed smaller returns from’his ser vice, he was given less responsibility. In both cases, the reward was strictly on the basis of merit and was1absolutely impar tial. God has no favorites. ,V. 20 . .Here is thy. pound. This.indo lent man was at least honest enough to recognize his master’s right. The pound had been unused. Many .reasons .for his neglect might be guessed, but perhaps they can be summed up in the statement that he thought more of hjs own convenience and comfort than of making profit for his master. V. 21. I feared thee. This was the height of impudence'; he Criticized his master in order to justify himself: Thou art an austere man. That is, a harsh and Unfair man, demanding more profit than it was right for him to expect. This was a plain charge of injustice against the king. V. 22. Out of thine, own, mouth. The king did not argue with the faithless ser vant. His attitude toward the other two servants proved the baselessness of the charge that he was an “austere man.” Thou wicked servant. The vain excuses offered had betrayed this servant’s unfaith fulness. He was “wicked” because he was unfaithful. Thou knewest. Prerhaps these words vyere spoken ironically. If he thoughfi that his master was unreasonable, why had he not been the more careful to obey his orders? V. 23. Wherefore gavest thou not my money ? The king demanded that the mon ey be invested. The bank was the table of the .money-changers. It was the busi ness of these men to exchange the money of travelers from various lands into the coin of the country where they intended to do business. This gave opportunity for profit. Should have required it with in terest. The servant had assumed the rights of his master and had decided what should be done. He defied the owner of the money who had a right tp expect increase from his investment. V. 24. Take away from him the pound. In the parable of the talents (Matt. 25: 28-30), the faithless servant lost the un used talent and was punished by being cast “into the outer darkness.” In this parable, the indolent servant merely suf fered the loss of his pound. V. The Law of Awards (25, 26). V. 25. They said unto him. This was perhaps spoken by the by-standers who were surprised at such a decision. V. 26. I say unto you. These words
Vs; 18, T9. What report did the second servant give? Did he receive ariy less honor than was given to the first servant? Is there significance in the omission, in this case, of the words, “well done, thou good' servant” ? What reward was given to this servant? V.’20. What kind of "a servant reported next? ’What did he say? Was he to be commended for not having lost the pound Committed to him? Did his failure to make' use Of it show indolence? V. 21. What excuse did this man make for his failure? Did he have a wrong opinion Of his master? Does God ever require anything of His servants, which is unjust or unreasonable? Is it a mark of great wickedness for a servant of God to attempt tp conceal his own failure and tp lay the blame upon God? V. 22, Did the king accept the servant’s statement ? Had the king’s treatment of thè first two servants proved that this third servant was wholly wrong in his estimate of the master? Why was he called à “wicked servant” ? V. 23. What might this man have done with his money ? Does God expect us to make use of our gifts for His benefit? Is it safe for any, of us to set up our wills against our Lord’s will às this wicked ser vant did?, , V. 24. What was done with this man’s pound? Did it mean that this servant’s life work was a failure? Vs. 25, 26. ! What protest was made ? .What answer was given? Is it right that those who are rich in faith shall be come richer? Is it right that those who show no gain from God’s gifts shall have those gifts’taken away from them? Does hoarding of any gift from God ever bring blessing? * * * P ractical . P oints 1. The Lord Jesus has gone to receive the kingdom. In that idea is included His ascension, His mediatorial work, His send ing of the Holy Spirit, and the work of the Holy Spirit in the world. In the meanwhile, He who hgs beep given all authority (Matt. 28:18) waits until His enemies are made His footstool (Acts 1:1-11; Heb. 1:13). - 2. The “citizens” who hated the king represented primarily his own country men. But in due time the Gentiles showed the same attitude toward Him (Acts 4: 27, 28). The same spirit is still shown toward Christ and those that are Christ’s (cf. John 15:18). 3. There is a daily accounting for the deeds done in the body, for neglect to use God’s gifts always brings immediate loss. But the final accounting will be made by the Christian at the judgment seat of Christ (Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10). 4. Those who would reign with Christ must first work and suffer with Him (2 Tim. 2:12). 5. Some believers find Christ a hard Master because they have not understood or realized His grace. The requirements of the gospel seem to them to outweigh its gifts ; so they content themselves by separation from the “citizens” who hate Christ,’ and they abstain from such con duct as they think would hurt Christ, but they give Him no whole-hearted love and service. They do not squander their tal ent, but they hide it.
are put into the mouth of the king, who is the chief' character o fth e parable. But the explanation which follows "Contains sentiment that was often expressed by our Lord ,(cf. Matt. 13:12; 25:29; Mk. 4:25; Lk. 8:18). An eternal law of the kingdom is : use your gift or lose it. Thus the poor become poorer, and the rich be come richer. * * * L es . s . on Q uestions V. 11. To what teaching had the com pany been'listening (19:1-10)'? In what way was it Connected in thought with the parable that followfed? What were the multitudes expecting to happen in the near future? Did they have correct ideas concerning the kingdom of God? Why did Jesus feel it necessary to correct their opinion ? V. 12. Whom did the noblerrian in the parable.represent? To what “far country” has Christ gone?’ For what purpose has He gone there?. Has He promised to re turn? V. .13. Whom do the servants in the parable represent?,. What was given, to the servants ? How were the pounds di vided among the servants? What were they, to dp with with them? When were they to render an account?. V. 14. Who are represented by the cit izens? Was Christ hated by His own countrymen? .Is He still hated by the world? Why do men not wish Him to reign; Over, them? V. 15. When the king returned, what did he do? Could any of the servants avoid giving an account of their steward ship?. k there a time of accounting ap- poirited for all Christ’s servants (2 Cor. 5 :10) ? Is every Christian going to be asked how he has used his gift? V. 16. What report did the first ser vant make? Whose pound was it that had made such gain? Why did not the servant claim the ownership of the pound? Is modesty becoming to all Christian ser vants? Did this large gain represent honesty, efficiency, and faithfulness? V. 17. What was the king’s answer to the servant? Is faithfulness “in a very little” recognized by God? What further reward was given to this servant? Was this a very large reward for faithfulness in little things?
No Sifting 1 do not have to do any sift ing to find the gospel truth in your magazine. —From San Diego, Calif..
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker