The Arvada enterprise., 1921-02-24
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 81
REWARDS OF FA,rnFuLMEss.

WkWAU09 OF FAvVNFOlNES8.
LESSON rExr-Maet. x:i%-3s.
GOLDEN TExT-Wsll done. good and
faithful servant: thou hast bsen faithful
over . few things. will make thee ruler
ever many things.-Aatt. sS:0
REFERENCE MATERIAL - Matt. 1:
n-ss; Luke ls:ll.77: Rom. l2:i-s: Pet. ~:ia
PRIMARY ToPIc-Doing Our Best.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Dutiss and Rewards.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Faithful Use OF Our Abilities.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
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 IL their failure Of In
ward life-absence of the Holy Ghost.
In this of the talents 1t 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.
I. The Distribution os the Talents
tvv. II. 15).
l. 1t was q sovereign act. He called
His own servants and distributed to
them his swn 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.
tion upon that basis. The reason some
have greater gifts than others is due to
the fact that they possess the ability
TO use them.
8. 1t was q purposefu! 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 sF the Talents
(vv. 1919.
l. 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 ~
have been given to 10.
2. Two servants used their talents.
The i've talented man put his to use
and gained Ave 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 1t. The faithful use Of
what we have in the place We are vii!
prepare 10 for greater usefulness and
honor.
8. The one hid his talent. The fact
that one possesses but one talent
should not discourage him. but should
make him strive harder. God sees not
reward according to what We possess.
but according to our faithfulness. The
crime Of the one talented man was not
that be had but ene talent. bpt that
he hid the talaot which the Lord gave
him.
~. Ths AeesvNtlNS sss tlss TALENTS
wv. lo-S0).
1. Its certainty. There Ia Z day
coming when all must give ~ &C.
cosnt Of eur stswardship.
2. The tios. This will b At the
cooiss ee the Lord. II We have done
well We shall then have praise. II ws
have been unfaithful We shalt then Be-
cast out from the presencs Of the
Lord. Watchfulosas 10 not idleness.
3. The judgments annouoesd. ~ Re-
ward Of the faithful. (al Praiss-
"weal DONE" We al Ike to be praised.
How bleased will II Be to hear frssn
the very lips Of the Lord the word
"weil done!" (b) Promotion-"Bs
thou ruler over many things." Promo.
tioa 10 desirable 70 al. AueA sf that
to which we look forward IL life 10
the passing from lower to higher privi.
legss and positions. tc) Entrancs
upon the joy Of the Lord. The ave-
talented man and the two-talsnted nan
received the same praise and sane
promstion. ~ Punishmeot Of the
faithless. The one.taleated man lied
when brought to account. TIE talsat
whsa dug up was not The sams % whsn
Il was buvisd-it vas oet Of the sane
weight. Gifts snsssd are lost. TAs
natural eyes loss their power II Ws
live continually 10 darkness. This IA
true spiritually. The oos who ceases
to grow in knowledge and grace loses
the capacity to grow. <a) Rsproach--
he was called slothful asd wicked. To
be called lazy b reproaeh which
even the lazy man disiikes. tb)
Stripped. The talent which WAS given
to him was taken from him. (c) Cast
out. He was condemned % bis own
ground. The very fact that be knew
the character Of the Lord should havs
been an Incentive for him to have e.
srted himself His condition was hia
own fault In the day Of accounts
there will he NO excuse TO be made
eevnealN ~ 0,adN0os.
A kind heart Ia . fountain Of glad