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THE KING ’S BUSINESS
him. "Soul” is really “life,” and what would it profit a man to give the whole world and lose his own life?” (Mark 8:36, R. V.). His heart was torn by the roots from his treasures. Who got them? Who was h e? Never mind Jiis name, no doubt it was well known, and good on ’Change. But now he is anonymous, just “ a certain rich man ,” . and a "fool” at that.. “ So is everyone that is not.rich toward God.” III. T houghts on V erses 22-34. It is as much sin to worry for necessities as to glory in luxuries, If covetousness is idolatry anxiousness is atheism. As rich fools fear to trust God with their goods poor -fools fear to trust Him for them. Rich fools worry where to put their sur plus, poor fools where to get their sup plies. 1 “ H e said to his disciples ”—not to the multitude—-anxiety belongs to them. They are not of “ the little flock” (v. 32), and have no claims on the Shepherd they will not follow. “ Take no thought” (literally, “be not dis tracted” or “anxious”) . Not that we should not be provident. This is abundantly taught in Scripture (Prov. 6:6-11) where ants'
complete the lesson of sparrows and lilies. Worry is doubly sinful—it doubts the-tesf, tinmony of both prophet and providence, of the Word and the world. Worry is deaf to the sweetest note of the birds of the air, and blind to the brightest hue of the flower of the field, for “All -around, beneath, above, have one burden, . God Is love.” How few of the anxious worry for crust and cloth, the necessities and sufficiencies (1 Tim. 6:8) of life, of these most feel assured; men worry lest they miss the “soft raiment” and sumptuous provision, the sur feit of life. “ The life is more than meat, and the body than raiment ," Who believes that? Where God sends a mouth He sends meat. So Jesus reasoned. If it is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom we, are sure, of the. crumbs till the kingdom comes.; then the, wedding garment and the feast! Who will lay down the burden and bear away the song for this lesson?
“ Casting all your care upon Him, Casting all your care upon Him, Casting all your care upon Him, For He eareth, He careth for you,” LESSON X.— March 8. —W atchfulness : A T emperance L esson .— Luke 12:35-48. G olden T ext : Blessed are those servants, whom the L ord when he cometh shall And watching .—Luke 12:37. I. T he L ord I s C oming A gain .
wedding. In Luke 19:12, as gone to be confirmed,in kingship. He is now taking to Himself a bride, the Church (Eph. 5:25- 30; Gen. 2 :23, 24) ; but elsewhere the wed ding is at His second coming (Rev. 19:7). It is enough, however, as to this parable, to leave out the idea of the Christ’s millen nial marriage—a lord is absent, his servants are waiting his; return. The festivities are prolonged; the return is delayed; the ser vants wait from watch to watch, quite on the alert. "Loins girded about ”—Men wore flowing robes and girdles to gather them up, to keep them clean (Eccle« 9:8) ; to
The burden of the O. T. from Genesis 3 :15, to Malachi 4:2 is the coming of Christ. The burden of the N. T. from Matthew 25:31, and before, to Revelation 22 :20 is the second coming of Christ. He came and suffered, He comes to reign (Luke 24:25-27). This is the “blessed hope” of believers, and the woeful dread o-f unbelievers (2 Thess. 1:9, 10). II. W aiting , W atching , W orking . 1. Waiting, vs. 35, 36. Christ here likens His absence to that of a lord gone to a
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