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(2) Personal responsibility is propor tioned to natural gifts. (3) If you are faithful with a farth ing, God will increase your in come. (4) God is very generous with His gifts. (5) Whom the Lord employs He em powers. (6) Time is a talent; It is time we used it. (7) Possessions are talents; pass them on . (8) Influence is inyaluablé; make the most of it. (9) Opportunities are open doors; use them to His glory. (10) The fruit of faithfulness is a joy ful reward. (11) Weeping and wailing are the por tion of profitless servants. Faithfulness in doiBg good brings its reward, while faithfulness it doing evil has its re ward. The Pyramids, which were built by human pride, LESSON are being worn ILLUSTRATIONS away by the silent W. H. Pike friction of the centuries t h a t drift over them, while the old wells dug by the patriarchs to water their thirsty flocks are still pouring forth their sweet waters. So the works of mere ostentation, however wonderful, will be forgotten while good deeds, however humble are remembered and rewarded. Bible Illustration.—Moses by patient enduring in Egypt for 40 years did not win. Then he patiently endured and waited 40 years more in the back of the desert tending sheep. But during the next 40 years he gave to the world its law and to his nation- a deliverer. Heb. 11:23-29. Joseph endured the reproach of his brothers, the loss of his father, the hardness of an heathen King, the wickedness of a sensual woman, the Subject Illustration.
what this will mean (1 Cor. 3:13). ‘‘Every man’s work shall he made^ manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” How searching! How solemn! So many Christians have such a superficial conception of the tremendous responsi bility resting upon them because they have never studied the Word of God. Love should prompt us. His devotion in our behalf should move us. What a joyful message, “Well done, ^good and faithful servant!” Through the life that has been faithfully lived; through the service faithfully performed; the acknowledgment so freely given by our Lord will give an eternal joy. Here is an unveiling of the future. We are to rule and reign with Him. Our place is assigned tp us by our Lord, it cannot be changed then; it will be too late. Our fidelity to our trust will be acknowledged before the whole church. (4) THE GUILTY SERVANT, vs. 24- 30. God is unchanging in His laws. “Sow—reap,” good or bad. “N e g le c t- fail.” Be indifferent to the Master’s orders—suffer the consequences. The man was not a true servant; who would dare say to Christ, “You are a hard Master.” Why was he afraid? of what? He was a liar—a wicked ser vant, indolent, slothful. He sought to place the responsibility upon the Mas ter, but he condemned himself. He lost his talent. He was never a true ser vant, but an impostor. - The man who had faithfully used the ten talents received the one talent in addition. This is a great law of God— “Use or lose.” The punishment is com mensurate with the life, as was the re ward. ,“Outer darkness—weeping and wailing.” Who says so? The Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is committed all judgment. PRACTICAL POINTS (1) God’s test is the use of the tal ents.
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