The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-07-22
Sunday School Notes
Side Lights on Next Sundays Lesson
for Teachers and Pupils.
Edited by Charles X. Meyers

July 2G-The Pounds and the Tai
ents-Luke 10, 1927; Matt. 25, 1873.
We have for our lesson today two
of the great parallels delivered by
Jesus while here on earth. This time
the story told is of a man of wealth
and power who was about to go into
another part Of the country. Before
doing so, he called ten OF his servants
to him and gave to each in trust GER
tain property TO one was given ten
mound in money, to another five, and
to another one This being done the
nobleman went away. In course OF
time he returned and called the serV-
ants before him for an accounting as
to the money left in their trust. The
one receiving ten pounds was able to
show the sum had been doubled under
his care. The servant having five
pounds was likewise able to show a
doubling of the sum. When the one
pound man was called, he came bring
ing the same sum which had been
given to him, which he had laid care
fully away in a napkin. This he
offered to hand back to the giver. The
first two men were commended, but
the last severely blamed and orders
given for his pound to be given to the
one who had done so well with ten.
The servant who had handled the ten
pounds, and also the one with five,
were commended in the words of the
golden text, We'll done. good and
faithful servant; thou hast been faith
full over a few things, | will make
thee ruler over many things; enter
thou into the joy of thy Lord
There is also in this lesson mention
made of certain people who hated
the noblcman and sent word that they
would not have him for their ruler. 1t
is said of these that in due time on
the return of the nobleman, they were
brought before him and punished.
This calls to mind the parable where
servants of the owner were slain when
they came to ask for the rent. Final
ly the owners son came for the same
purpose, and was murdered the serv-
ants saying that with the son and heir
dead, they would have all the property
themselves. OF course the owner
came himself, and then there was
terrible accounting for the bad design
ing servants. 1t was clear in that
case that Jesus would warn the Jews
about him, that even if they killed Him
they would not have things all their
own way, but God would metc out due
justice.
One lesson from the parable of the
pounds is that of God holding account
for the opportunities to serve Him Civ
en- to individuals. Some have great
gifts Of learning, others places OF pow
er, others business abilities, leading
to the amassing OF much wealth. These
and all similar things should be re-
gardcd as nut matter given in charge,
as to a steward, and for which an ac-
counting must be made. 1t is often
told in the bible that all must appear
before God for judgment as to the
things done in the body. Jesus spoke
of it in the famous talk as to the
"shcep and goats" St. Paul ever
warned Of the judgment to come.
1t can well be noted that in the par
able the servant who had made good
use of five pounds received the same
words of commentator as the one
who managed ten. Each had done the
best he could and no blame is at
tachcd. 1t is clear that to whom lit
tie is given, little will be expected,
but that there must be striving with
what is given, and it will not do to
stand about idly complaining OF the
smallness of ones gift.
With seed in ones possession all
know that the only way to obtain an
increase is to plant, tend and reap. BY
working in harmony with the great
laws which God has made as to seed
time and harvest, most wonderful
things can be done Spiritual seed,
spiritual powers, spiritual opportuni-
ties must be used. If this is done
faithfully God will sec as to bounte-
GUS increase. 1t is said ''be not weary
in we'll doing for in due season we shall
reap if We faint not" and this should
be the command to each of us.
At the end of the parable on the
gift of the talents told of in Matthew
rs, Jesus began to tell "of the last
judgment" which can well be taken,
as fitting in thought and lesson with
the accounting made by the servants
in the parable. We are all given OPP
portunities to be kind to the poor, visit
the sick, clothe the needy, spread the
gospel among those not having this
blessing. This may be considered as
pounds and talents" given in trust
and for the use of which God will hold
us responsible. Let us look on the
days and years given us of life as so
much time to make a right record for
the day OF accounting.