Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-02-24

| LESHON EAI-Matt. 5l4-0.
GOLDEN TEXT-well done. good an
faithful servant; thou hast been faithful
over a few things, | will make thee rule
over many things.-Matt 25:23.
REFERENCE MATERIAL - Matt Is
3l-4s; Luke ls:1l-27: Rom. l2l-s: Pet. 4;IO
PRIMARY ToPIC-Doing Our Best
JUNIOR ToPIc-Duties and Rewards
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Faithful Use of Our Abilities
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
| The Use or Neglect of Our Resources.
! This parable, like that of the ten
virgins, is associated with the Second
| Coming of Christ. In both instances
the unpreparedness for His coming on
the part of the people is exhibited. In
| that of the ten virgins their unreadi-
ness consisted in their failure of in
ward life-absence of the Holy Ghost.
In this of the talents it consisted in
their failure to properly use the gifts
which had been intrusted to them. The
first was failure to watch; the second,
failure to work.
!. The Distribution Of the Talents
wv. IA, 49,.
l. 1t was a sovereign act. He called
His own servants and distributed to
them his own money. The Lord did
not consult us as to our gifts.
2. 1t was an intelligent act. accord
ing to his several ability" The God
who made US knows our ability to use
gifts, therefore has made the diStribu-
ton upon that basis. The reason some
have greater gifts than others is due to
the fact that they possess the ability
to use them.
g. 1t was a purposeful act. The tai
ents were given to be traded with.
They were not given to be used for
ones own gain and profit, but as stock
In trade for the enrichment and glory
of the Master.
u. The Employment Of the Talents
wv. 1919.
/. All the servants recognized that
the talents were not their own-that
they were responsible to the Lord for
the use made of them. We are not re-
sponsible for the creation of gifts, but
for the employment of such gifts as
have been given to us.
2. Two servants used their talents.
The five talented man put his to use
and gained five more. The two tai
ented man put his to use and gained |
two more. This shows that Gods gifts |
can be increased. The exercise of any
gift increases it. The faithful use of
what we have in the place we are will
prepare us for greater usefulness and
honor.
8. The one hid his talent The fact
hat one possesses but one talent
should not discourage him, but should
make him strive harder God sees not
eward according to what we possess,
Tut according to our faithfulness. The
rhine of the one talented man was not
hat he had but one talent, but that
e hid the talent which the Lord gave
i'm.
~. The Accounting for the Talents
w. 1890.
1. Its certainty. There is day
oming when all must give an &C.
cunt of our stewardship. u.
2. The time. This will be at the
Oming of the Lord. If we have done
ell we shall then have praise If we
ave been unfaithful we shall then be
lst out from the presence of the
ord. Watchfulness is not idleness.
3. The judgments announced. Cd Re-
ard of the faithful. (a) Praise
Well done" We all like to be praised.
ow blessed will it be to hear from
e very lips of the Lord the word
veil done!" (b) Promotion-"Be
ou ruler over many things" Promo
on is desirable to all. Much of that
which we look forward in life is
e passing from lower to higher privi-
ges and positions. (c) Entrance
ION the joy of the Lord. The FIVE
Tented man and the two-talented man
ceived the same praise and same
emotion. (2) Punishment of the
ithless. The one-talented man lied
len brought to account. The talent
len dug up was not the same as when
was buried-it was not of the same
light. Gifts unused are lost. The
tural eyes lose their power If we
e continually in darkness. This is
lie spiritually. The one who ceases
grow in knowledge and grace loses
; capacity to grow. (a) Reproach-
was called slothful and wicked. To
called lazy is a reproach which
m the lazy man dislikes. (b)
tipped. The talent which was given
him was taken from him. (c) Cast
!. He was condemned on his own
und. The very fact that he knew
character of the Lord should have
N an incentive for him to have ex-
ed himself His condition was his
n fault. In the day Of accounts
re will be no excuse TO be made.