The Dolores star., 1923-02-23
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY rs
THE PARABLE OF THE POUNDS

LESSON TEkT-Iuke 1s.l-G.
GOLDEN TExT-He that Is faithful IN
ina, which is least Is faithful also In
n'uch--Luke 1910.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Matt = IA.
". Tim. 4.l3-l5.
PRIMARY TOPIC-working for Jesus
JUNIOR ToPIC-Faithful and Unfaith-
tul Workers
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Fidelity That Jesus Expects.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
" hat Returns Does Christ Require Of
Us?
The purpose of this parable was TO
correct the Misrepresentation 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 1t would
Immediately appear
1. The Absent Lord ". 12).
He pictures His going back TO God
as nobleman going to receive king
among them. They knew how some of
the Herodian family had thus done
gone to Rome and secured their ap-
polntnent TO rule over Palestine. Jesus
nscended on high to receive from God.
the Father, a kingdom. Let no one
mistake the certainty OF His return.
though the time be unknown and the
event delayed.
H.. The Distribution Of the Pounds
". l2).
These pounds represent Christ-s
gifts 10 His servants When Cnr5sz
ssceDdsd he gave gifts % r1=D CEph
~. 5. Il, ~ To e1c. ssrTEr, sEs
given the same sI1uu.-- showing -lEs:
to al certain rfs- ms been Esrsc
and therefore al XII - he'd rsspu-sI-
BILE for its use. TIE 1ls--itlurIUr vEs
made by the E9vs-eIE- i vHs also E
purposeful distribution They were 70
put their gifts 10 use during Hls ~
sence. What the no5lsInao densr5+-5
was faithfulness. The pounds were 70
be used for the Master, not for The
selfish enjoyment Of the servant
III. The RebellioUs Citizens ". ~
They hated Him and sent messe1-
gers after Him, notifying Him Of thelr
refusal TO be subject to Him. This pic
lures the unbelief of the Jews after
Christs ascension and their repudia-
tion Of His rule II also pictures the
unbelieying world in Its hatred and re-
lection OF Christ.
~. The Accounting wv. 1j-27).
/. Its Certainty. Christ will surely
bring everyone to account for the use
made Of His gifts. He has appointed
day in which He shall Judge the
world (Acts II :3D.
2. Time OF w. 15). 1t will take
place when Jesus comes back to earth.
AT that time H. 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 ops.
2:S).
3. Rewards Given for FaIthfulness
wv. 1919. a. The first report wv.
16. I'D. The pound had gained ten
pounds. He did not say, 81 have made
ten pounds" but "I'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 ". 49,. In this case the pound
had gained five pounds. He did not
get the Lords commendation for he
had not done so well. but he was ap-
pointed to a place Hof rulership over
five cities. The reward In each case
was roportioned to faithfulness dur.
ing the Lords absence. The principle
Of reward was shown to be that faith
fulDess In very small things prepares
for larger responsibilities.
4. Judgment Upon the Unfalthful
wv. 20-27). "a His report wv. 2O,2D.
This report was entirely bad. He had
not put the pound to use, but laid IT
away. throwing the blame upon the
Lord. He asserted that the character
Of the Lord was such as to produce
fear. Men are failing today In their
service because they have wrong con-
ceptions of Christ. (2) Commenda ton
wv. 22, 23l, 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
tvv. 2426). To fail to use ones gifts
means to lose them. One of the losses
of the next world will be the depriva-
ton 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-
fcp