The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-02
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Profitable Table Talks
s-s BIBlSE sSTUCYs ON .,

Every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbeth him self shall be exalted."-V. Il.
 Todays lesson shows the Master as a guest of a prominent Pharisee, and speak ing in a manner that would not be ap- propriate to any but Himself. In par able He criticized the gathering guests because He noted that they selfishly chose the chief seats of honor, and He would have them see that this selfish spirit would have to do with character build- ing and with fitness or unf1tness for the kingdom.
 When bidden to public function, they should humbly take inconspicuous places, not knowing how many might be more worthy than they in the estimation of the host Then, if the host so desired, he might ask them forward to more prominent place. Thus they would be honored whereas, in taking a prominent place uninvited, they ran the risk of dis pleasing the host or of being asked to take an inferior place, the more honorable one being given to one considered more
 worthy; and they would thus be in | measure dsgraced.
 The Master declared that this principle holds with the Father namely, that "who- soever exalteth himself shall be hum- bled. and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted' The apostles set forth the same proposition, saying: God resisteth
 the proud, but showeth His favor to the humble" Humble yourselves therefore,
 under the mighty hand of God. that He may exalt you in due time.-James 4:6; Peter 5;6
 l The thought is that. the self-seeking, the proud in spirit, could not be trusted by the Lord in high position. They would do damage to themselves and to
 His cause with such 8 spirit On the contrary, God will seek those of humble
 mind, who would not be injured by the | exaltation, nor be in danger of defiect- ing in the future work to which the king
 dom clas sare called.
 "They Cannot Recompense Thee"
 Turning to His host, Jesus gave him a
 compliment, saying: When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call the
 poor, the maimed. the lame. the blind;
 and thou shalt be blessed; for they can not recompense thee: for thou shalt be
 recompensed in the he4esurrection of the just" The Pharisee had done something of the very kind in inviting Jesus and probably His disciples to dinner. He well knew that they would be unable to ask him in return. The Masters words may have been comforting to him.
 Il At all events, they set forth a grand principle, which should be recognized by all rich and poor alike. If we get our rewards for good deeds in the present life, how will there be anything coming I to us in the future? Let us therefore fol- low the Masters instructions and seek to do kindnesses to those who cannot re- turn the favor. assumed that God will ap- preciate such things as done for right eousness sake and will give a proper reward. We do not understand the Master to say that it would be wrong to invite those who might invite us in turn. but that in so doing we are not laying up II trasure in heaven.
 II Gods Great Feast
 II A guest, after hearing Jesus comments II remarked that it would be blessed thing ! to share in the great feast with which the
 Kingdom of God will be inaugurated. Jesus
 seized upon his as text. and preached ! another sermon in a parable. As usual, Fl His parable-lesson was in respect to the ! Kingdom of God. A man made a great ! supper and bade many guests. When the supper time arrived, he sent his servants to inform them, saying. Come, for all things are now ready" But these with one accord began to make excuse. When