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THE KING’S BUSINESS
ards (cf. Matt. 25:45, 46; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 4:1, 2; 1 Peter 4:10). A steward’s business is to give each one in the house hold their portion of meat in due season (John 21:15-17; 1 Peter 5:2; Jer. 3:15). The faithful and wise steward is the one who actually does this. There are many foolish and unfaithful stewards who feed themselves, not the household (cf. Ezek. 34:2, 3). Or they feed only a portion of the household, or they give something else than food (philosophy or sociology, or what not, instead of thè pure Word of God; cf. 1 Peter 2:2; 4:10, 11), or they do not give the food in “due season.” The steward who is faithful and wise is also blessed. Having proven his fitness to rule, he is rewarded with larger rule. At the bottom of the unfaithful steward’s neglect of duty lies his view that Christ’s coming is away off. One great cause of present day-wordliness in the church, and laxness in evangelical enterprise, and the oppres sion and self-indulgence so common among profess.ed stewards of Jesus Christ, is the idea that Jesus will not return and reckon with Us for a long time. It was “in his heart” 'that the unfaithful steward held this view. The great cry of the early church was, “The Lord cometh” (1 Cor. 16:22, R. V. ; Phil. 14:5 ; Jas. 5 :7, 8 ). The unfaithful steward’s belief in the delay of the Lord’s coming showed itself, (1) in oppression, ( 2 ) in self-indulgencè and gluttony. The picture which Christ has ' here drawn has proven prophetic. An awful day is coming to these false ones in authority in the church—Hell awaits them (v. 46). Jesus Himself will come in an unexpected day, cut them asunder and send them for eternal punishment with infidels. The punishment of Christ’s unfaithful servants will be meted out according to their knowledge and opportunity. From the one tó whom much is given much will be required. Wednesday, December 29. Luke 12:49-59. While the Lord Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and while His second coming will ultimate in universal peace, the first re__
“looking for” Him (v. 36 R. V.). When the Lord comes to the earth it will be a return from the marriage feast, for the bride will be caught up to meet Him in the air (cf. 1 Thess. 4:15-17). We are to prove that we are “looking for” our Lord’s return by having our loins “girded about,” (i. e., prepared to serve and run His er rands, v. 37 cf. 1 Kings 18:46), and “lamps burning” (cf. Matt. 25:3, 4, 8 ). It is the loins of our mind and not the loins of our body that are to be girded (1 Peter 1:13), and the proper girdle is truth (Eph. 6:14). The one who would be “ready” must study the Word (John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17). The “lamps” are our religious profession (Matt. 5:16; Matt. 25:1, 2, 3; 2 Tim.3:5). The oil that keeps them “burning” is the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38). In order to keep them burning we must have oil in our vessels with our lamps (Matt. 25:3, 4, 8 , R. V.), i. e., we must be constantly re ceiving new supplies of the Spirit’s power. One word sums up the experience of the servants that are watching when He comes, “Blessed.” Their blessedness consists in that Jesus Himself will minister to them at His own table. Not all Christ’s serv ants are to have part in that particular feast, only those He finds watching.. As a thief comes without announcement and at an unexpected hour, so will He come (v. 39, 40; cf. Matt. 24:43, 44; 1 Thess. 5:2, 3; 2 Peter 3:10; Rev. 3:3; 16:5). This shows the vanity of the attempt to point out an exact program of events culminat ing in His coming. Thieves never come according to a pre-announced program. But though He comes as a thief, we need not be overtaken as by a thief (1 Thess. 5:4-6; John 2:28). The main point of Jesus’ parable is “be, ready” always. He will not come at an hour when the whole world is in expectancy, but when it is taken up with other things. That day will come upon the world as a snare (Luke 21:35). As to what constitutes readiness, see Luke 21:34-36; Matt. 25:1-30; 1 John 2:28. Tuesday, December 28. Luke 12:41-48. Jesus compares teachers to house stew-
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