The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1890-09-11
PARABLE OF THE POUNDS.
International Sunday School Lesson for
September -, 1S0Os

LESSON TExT-Luke 10: l1-21
GOLDEN TExT-Unto every one which hath
shall be given.-Luke 10: 26.
CENTRAL TRUTH - Fafthfulness In small
things prepares us for great things.
TINE-Last of March, A. ID. 30.
PLACE-Jericho, at the house Of Zaccheus.
DIsTINCTIoN-This is not the same parable
with that of the talents In Matt. 25 1880,
though there is considerable resemblance.
CIRCUMsTANCEs--This parable was probably
spoken while Jesus was visiting Mt the house Of
Zaccheus, to the crowds who gathered In tho
courts.
HELPS OVER HARD PLAcEs--l1 Heard these
things:" what Jesus had been saying to zac-
cheus (1a; e10) Because nigh to Jerusalem:"
where they expected tho new Kingdom would
be set up. (Se>- Luke II; 20; iS: 20, 30; Matt.
19:2s) Kingdom. Immediately appear:"
that He would set up the Messianic Kingdom
IN outward visible splendor. (See lisa. 0; z; 90:
1-22; Dan. 2; a. 45.) i2. "A certain nobleman;"
representing Christ. the Son of God. Far
country" Heaven. ITO receive a kingdom:"
leading men in those days often went to Rome
20 receive the kingdom over some province from
the Roman people. This represents Christ's
ascending on high, and there being installed
into His Kingdom: and also the preparations
for His Kingdom on earth by Pentacostal out
pourings Of the Spirit. "To return:" when Ho
comes again to judge the world. and also when.
ever He comes TO His people in any special In
luencc or judgment l3 Ten pounds:" nina,
worth about S17 If the Roman moneT in use then
is referred to. The pounds represent the gift
of Gods grace, love and salvation; the Bible,
time, opportunities, the influences OF the Holy
Spirit. Occupy" not to keep possession OF,
but make use of, trade with IA. "Citizens:"
those who are rightfully His subjects. "Will
not have" etc: this is what all sinners say to
God II. We'll good servant" God re-
wards, not according to results, but to faithful
ness. '"Ten cities:" by doing well with q little,
he Sa1f tod ffrr tor
"Austere mani" hard, severe, exacting.
"Takest ups" he was afraid God would have
more than was right. 23. Money into the
bank" where he would have obtained at least
ordinary profit. No one has right to hoard up
the blessings he obtains from God. "a. ''Take
from him the pound:" the unfaith full servant
loses what he had failed to use. The oppor.
tunities are OF no use to him. He must leave
the Offices and positions which he only encum.
bered, preventing others from doing good work.
CoMMENTs-For those who heard the
parable the main teaching was plain.
They were warned against their expec-
tations of the speedy appearance Of tho
Kingdom of God. At the same time
they were taught that to them were en-
trusted talents (pounds), for the proper
use Of which they would be held respon-
sible. The doctrine of reward and pun
ishment is here clearly taught. Men
who object to this doctrine are fools, be-
cause the same doctrine is taught in all
nature. All human society is based on
the same law, and could not be based on
any other.
The DOCTRINE OF REwARD-Is saliva
tion, therefore, matter Of rewardf
Not at all What, then, has reward to
do with spiritual things2 This: that
when a man is saved, his condition in
Heaven will vary, according to his fdel-
ity here below. God is, indeed, not
obliged to give man . reward for his
fidelity. All we are to say is: II have
done that which it was my duty to do"
But God in great kindness does first
give salvation, and then offers rewards
to those who are faithful. This doc
trine should stimulate us to greater xesY
in the Masters cause. Many people
think that saved is saved, and . man
can not be more than safe. This is q
grievous error. There is such . thing
as IAN abundant entrance" q Pet. l:1l),
and there is such thing as being saved
$50 as by fire."
The DOCTRINE OF PUN1sHMENT-In
uttered. One is against the rebellious
citizens. They had actively rejected
the Master (verse 14) and now fell under
His wrath. But Judgment is also pro-
nounced against the wicked servant.
And from the parable in Matt. 25, we
seem to be obliged to infer that he was
cast into outer darkness. Lot US con-
slider the case Of this wicked servant.
Wherein did his wickedness consist?
he had not openly rebelled against his
master. He had not used the pound for
his own purposes, nor did he pretend
that it was lost. Why, then, did the
Lord condemn himP He condemned
him for what he had failed to do. He
ought to have traded with the money,
but simply omitted the duty. For this
he was cast into outer darkness. Is this
truth Of condemnation for mere failure
in duty taught elsewhere? Certainly.
See the whole Judgment scene as pic-
tured by the Lord Himself: "Inasmuch
as ye did it not" (Matt. 25:41-4e). Course
ye Meroz, said the angel Of the Lord,
curse ye bitterly the Inhabitants there
Of, because they came not to the help of
the Lord, to the help OF the Lord
against the mighty" (Judg. 5:2s). In
these passages the solemn truth is made
very clear that negative sin as we'll as
positive transgression shall receive q
due recompense Of reward.
Imagine for moment the very DOS
sible frame Of mind Of the wicked serv-
ant as he came before his lord. He
might have said to himself: II am not
quite as good as my fellow-servants
who have been 30 busy in trading with
our masters money; but then I'm not 80
bad, after all. There are lots of his cit
izens who are in open rebellion, and I
have refused to participate in their evil
actions. The lord may not commend
me, but really do not see how he can
condemn me-" And are there not thou
sands Of moral people in our times who
are practically saying the same thing
within themselves? They are not law
hraak Org Ecoufiora <ha{o<tc ~ o~>.t-