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ties and ability to grasp them are given by the Lord, but the appropria tion and usé of the gifts are the Christian’s prerogatives. What follows the acceptance or neglect of God’s gifts is set forth clearly. In the case Of the unfaithful servant, while his ability was not removed, the oppor tunity was taken from him, and his ability was useless (cf. Matt. 25:29; 1 Cor. ,3:15). II. T h e M a n n e r of I n d u st r y ^ , (2 Thess.. 3:10-12) The phrase, “If any would not work,” certainly does not include the very young or the very'old, nor the- incapacitated, nor those who wodld work if they could. But it includes all manner of human parasites, to whom aid, must be refused. This pas sage must be dealt with most care-, fully or error wili result. It can be dealt with truly only by the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Help never must be withheld from those in troubles that are beyond their control. Paul reminded his hearers that; he had taught them these truths when he was present with them. He must have taught much else that is not recorded; but the details are not for us today, while the great underly ing principles are. The practice of the early Christians is not for us, but their precepts are; we are to do as they taught, not as they did. The cause of this exhortation was the report that there were some who were “disorderly,” that is, not work- Zing for their own support, but were ' “busybodies.” Perhaps, expecting the Lord to come, they ceased working and thus became burdens to the church. We' are to expect the Lord to come at any time, but until He ap pears our work must continue in quietness and hope. Points and Problems 1. 'That he might know how much every man had gained ’by trading" (Lk. 19;15). This part of the .parable is meant to teach us that when Je sus comes again in the Rapture, He is going to call every servant of His to “the judgment seat.” There He will judge each one, not to determine who is saved, but to investigate the works of every believer. All who stand be fore "the judgment seat” are saved people.' But not all will have been equally faithful in occupying (v. 13) for Christ Curing His absence. To oc cupy meins, literally, to trade, to do , business. Until , BLACKBOARD LESSON A Rabbi-Lawyer was called, to confuse the new-born lad in Christ; he finished BAFFLED RABBI Send for your free copy of this true courtroom testimony. Christian Witness To Israel, inc. ¿704 Cedar Ave. Mechantville, N. J. You Are Invited to Open Your Thrift Account with EQUITABLE PLAN COMPANY C. O. ANDERSON, Mgr. 4% Interest Compounded Semiannually Phone:, PL. 23151 6226 S. VERMONT AVE. LO S ANG ELES 44, CALIF. Phone VAndike 9483 E R IC K PETER SO N FIRST CLASS SHOE REPAIRING 730 W. Sixth St., Los Angeles 14, Calif. BARGAIN INMUSIC "SONGS OF &RACE NO. 1" 64 Solos, Duets, Trios, Quartettes, Choruses, and other Specials. "SONGS OF GRACE NO. 2" 75 Solos, Duets, Choruses, and other Specials. Order from GORDON E. HOOKER 558* So. Hope Sr., . Los Angeles 13, Calif. MOTTOES E tc. g Scripture Text Cords what we have to use for the Lord has been given to us by Him first of all: "tljiy" pound. No believer has any thing of which to boast. Whatever talents or opportunities we have, come from God. Not until the servants of thè Lord recognize that the “pounds" are His, will they be ih a position to glorify thè Lord in their use. 3. "Thy poupd hath gained ten pounds .' five pounds . . . here is thy pound which I have kept laid up in a napkin" (vs. 16, 18, 20). In the descending fecale, we see the varying degrees of faithfulness in view of the same opportunities. There was one pound given to each individual. But each one responded differently. So it is in the service of Christ today. Some make full use of God’s gifts, others a partial use, and still others, like the man who hid his pound in the nap kin, refuse to avail themselves of their opportunity to serve Christ. In the words of G. Campbell Morgan: “Oh, .the napkins that are wrapping up the pounds-of Jesus in the world today!” ' 4. "Thou knewest" (v. 22). The trag edy of the failure of the unfaithful servant is couched in these two words. He knew what the king expected of him, and yet he did nothing abput it. In the day of final reckoning, a similar tragedy will become evident (cf. 1 Cor. 3:11-15). And it is true of the vast majority of God’s people even now, for they know far more than they are willing to do in the realm of Christian service. Some time ago a dinner costing ten thousand dollars was given at Savoy Hotel London by a well-known New Yorker,- to twenty-four- American guests. An enormous gondola was built in one of the courtyards of the hotel, in the center of which was the table. Surrounding the gondola was water on which floated real swans and ducks. Across the artificial lake, a pontoon bridge had been erected by which the waiters brought the vari ous dishes, and across which a mag nificent cake was borne to the guests . on the back of an elephant—it was the most unioue affair ever seen in , Golden Text Illustration E p h e s ia n s 4:28 are now available' for new customers. You e a r n profit u p to 100%„ O r g a n i z e d groups raise funds by selling our complete Line of 20 Assort ments» no experience needed. Send $1.00 for DeLuxe Assortment of either' Christmas or Everyday folders and we , will include as a gift one of our new hymn books. No. Samples sent oh approval. We refund your money if not satisfied. Value of each box is §1.65. T H E L I G H T H O U S E P R E S S Mechanicsburg Box K10 Pennsylvania Vcatmntt • Hangings • Stola* Embroideries, Etc. NEW CATALOG on Request CHO IR GOWN S PULPiT ROBES Let'sKeepThemInChurch! Pastors! Parents! Friends! 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