The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-07-23

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GOLDEN TExr-"wefl done. good and
faithful servant. thou hast been fathful
over a few things. 1 will set thee Over
many things. enter Into the Joy OF my
lord" Matt S:2i X "
We are told plainly why Jesus spoke
the first parable ". III. We must be-
ware OF confusing these two parallels
though they are one In their essential
teachings.
The parable Of the pounds was ut,
tered before tho triumphal entry OF
Jesus into Jerusalem while that or
the talents was spoken subsequently,.
This association does not mean iden-
tity for each has a separate lesson.
Both have 10 do with an absent lord
whose return was imminent The
Jews looked for a temporal visible
Kingdom and many were associatins
the earthly life OF our Lord with that
expected manifestation. Hence this
parable as recorded by Luke.
Issue 10 Fidelity.
!. "oeeupy TIL Come" w. ff-1@.
Both Of these parallels have to do with
the return OF an absent lord who viii
then establish his Kingdom. In view
OF this return and contamination. his
servants are 10 give their undivided
attention to their immediate responsi-
biiities. They are 20 trade. 70 do BUSH
ness with that that has been In
trusted TO them They are 20 actively
discharge their duty. Ere the visible
Kingdom IL established. Jesus told
these Jews. there must be period OF
preparation. Jesus, himself. 10 tho
"nobleman" whose ascension into
heaven where he In 10 receive a king
dom fulhls the departure into n far
country" He viii return TO set up
that Kingdom. Acts 1911. with "all
authority" Matt 2s:1s r. ". Eph. !:
Is23: Pet. 3:?2. He may return at
any time. In neither parable Is there
a full description OF the Kingdom as II
IL to be established. for both have TO
do with the servants. The Issue IL
that OF fidelity In each case.
The citizens" ". lD include his
proper subjects the Jews. John Ill:
Acts 4:27.2s. and IN this connection
we recall their cry. Away with him.
cruelty" Luke 23:s; John 1915. These
citizens" also include all OF his pro-
fessed followers but not necessarily
regenerated men. Matt 1899. Tho
king gives to each servant ". l3) a
pound (about $4,000 His deposit II
equal In each case. In the parable OF
the talents there IL a difference In the
amounts bestowed. This last empha-
sizes the fact that each IL TO be held
responsible according TO the measure
OF his own personal ability. Putting
these two together we see that all the
servants OF the king are responsible
for the one pound which In n symbol
OF the common fact OF tho Kingdom
is also responsible for that common
power according ~ the measure in
which II Is entrusted 10 him. In which
he IL able TO deal with H. The small
amount Of one pound indicates our re-
sponsibility for the smallest gifts.
Parable Of Pounds
u. "When He Was Returned" w.
1880. The parable Of the pounds was
spoken 10 those who thought he must
at once establish no kingdom OF God.
That OF the talents was given In an
swer to the disciples inquiry as TO
when certain things which he had fore
told would take place. Upon his re-
turn all these servants will be sum
moned before him. Matt us. Rom.
14:l0-l2. II Cor. $50. As Jesus stood
there. he. likewise of that as OF all
other ages. saw ahead OF him Jeru-
salem with its scourging. suffering
and death. lie also saw beyond that
his resurrection and departure TO re-
ceive kingdom ". 12), q period
therefore In this world during which
his servants shall DO responsible for
the care OF his interests. q time dur
Ing which they shall occupy. do busi-
ness with what no has entrusted them
of the kingdom authority and power.
All OF this will eliminate In his re-
turn when he will deal with those to
whom this responsibility has been
given. and then establish finally his
kingdom. In the parable Jesus deals
with each servant separately. and en-
phasizes the fact OF stewardship. Tho
pound belonged to the king. For his
faithfulness the first servant received,
" ~, (a) the kings commentator
and tb) authority over ten cities.
Later, ". 2D he also received another
pound. The second did not give quito
30 good q report and his reward
lacked the appreciation OF the king.
though he Is placed over 'five cities"
His reward was In proportion to his
faithfulness.
The third report was bad. II re-
veals neglect. laziness. and a wrong
conception regarding the king. He
sought to excuse his sloth by blaming
another. The excuses Of the sinner
always condemn himself, not God. and
augment the sinners guilt. The
wicked servant" lost what he would
not use. II We will not use we must
lose. Doubtless this servant considered
himself unfortunate, though he was
judged "out OF his own mouth" re-
yerting again to those citizens who
hated him and would not have the
King In "raiQn nvaF than LANA