The Glenwood post., 1923-02-22
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY rs
THE PARABLE OF THE POUNDS

LESSON TEXT-Luke 19:11-N.
GOLDEN TEXT-He that is faithful in
that which is least. is faithful also In
much.-Luke 1910.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Matt. 25:14-
80; 1 Tim. 4:13-15.
PRIMARY ToPIC-Working for Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Faithful and Unfaith-
full Workers.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Fidelity That Jesus Expects
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
What Returns Does Christ Require of
Us?
The purpose of this parable was to
correct the misapprehension of the
disciples as to the immediate establish
ment of the kingdom. They were on
the way to Jerusalem and they thought
that Immediately upon their arrival
there Jesus would begin the exercise
of His kingdom rule. 1t is to be
noted that Jesus did not correct them
for believing in the reality of the king
dom, but for believing that it would
Immediately appear.
!. The Absent Lord ". 12).
He pictures His going back to God
as nobleman going to receive king
dom. This was a common occurrence
among them. They knew how some Of
the Herodian family had thus done
gone to Rome and secured their ap-
pointment to rule over Palestine. Jesus
ascended on high to receive from God,
the Father, kingdom. Let no one
mistake the certainty Of His return,
~ 1. A.,
event delayed.
II. The Distribution Of the Pounds
". 12).
These pounds represent Christ's
gifts to His servants. When Christ
ascended He gave gifts to men (Eph.
Al, 8, IL, 12). To each servant was
given the same amount, showing that
to all certain gift has been given
and therefore all will be held responsi-
bic for its use. The distribution was
made by the sovereign. 1t was also
purposeful distribution. They were to
put their gifts to use during His alb
sence. What the nobleman demanded
was faithfulness. The pounds were to
be used for the Master, not for the
selfish enjoyment of the servant
III. The Rebellious Citizens ". 14).
They hated Him and sent messen-
gers after Him, notifying Him of their
refusal to be subject to Him. This pic
lures the unbelief of the Jews after
Christ's ascension and their repudia-
tlon of His rule. 1t also pictures the
unbeleying world in its hatred and re-
lection of Christ.
~. The Accounting wv. 1920.
l. Its Certainty. Christ will surely
bring everyone to account for the use
made of His gifts He has appointed
day in which lie shall judge the
world (Acts II :3D.
2. Time OF ". 15). 1t will take
place when Jesus comes back to earth.
AT that time IL will summon His
servants and reckon with them. This
will take place when He has received
His kingdom. He will receive His
kingdom when he asks the Father Cps.
2:S).
3. Rewards Given for Faithfulness
wv. 1G-19). Q The first report wv.
16, 1O. The pound had gained ten
pounds He did not say, 81 have made
ten pounds" but "2'hy pound hath
gained ten pounds" He recognized the
Lords ownership. To this the Lord
replied by commendation. He praised
him and promoted him. He was made
ruler over ten cities. (2) The second
report ". 1S). In this case the pound
had gained five pounds. He did not
get the Lords commendatlon for he
had not done so well, but he was ap-
pointed to II place of rulership over
five cities. The reward in each case
was proportioned to faithfulness dur
ing the Lords absence. The principle
of reward was shown to be that faith
fulness in very small things prepares
for larger responsibilities.
4. Judgment Upon the Unfaithful
wv. 20-2T. D His report wv. 20,2D.
This report was entirely bad. He had
not put the pound to use, but laid 1t
away, throwing the blame upon the
Lord He asserted that the character
of the Lord was such ns to produce
fear. Men are failing today in their
service because they have wrong con-
ceptions of Christ. (2) Commendation
wv. 30, 23). The wicked servant Is
judged out of his own mouth. His ex-
cuse increased his guilt. He is called
wicked. (3) Stripped of the pound
wv. 24-26). To fail to use ones gifts
means to lose them. One of the losses
of the next world will be the deprlva.
tlon of what we have now. (4) Warn
ing ". 30. Those who reject Christ,
refusing to submit to His authority,
shall share the same deprivation as
those who are unfaithful In His serv-
ice.