Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-09
Sunday School Lesson
BY
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

Although our Lord never spoke Of His
royal lineage, nevertheless He was 9
descendant of David. When He spoke
OF the nobleman's departure, without
question He referred to Himself. He
knew and He wished them to under
stand that He had to go away before He
would be publicly inaugurated with all
power and authority, and His kingdom
was spiritual and would come to Him
from God When the hour comes for
Him to assume rule over the things OF
the earth He will come in the glory OF
His Father with His angels, then snail
He reward every man according to MS
work"
The responsibility that He entrusted
to His disciples is represented by the
10 pounds that were given to the 10
servants with orders to trade with 1t
until he returned In the distribution OF
the pounds each servant shared alike.
1t recognized the indisputable quality
that Christianity gives to men. This
parable of the pounds has been cor
rectly called one of democracy, teach
ing liberty, equality and justice The
liberty OF individual service Is seen In
the fact that each one was allowed to
show and develop his ability in the use
OF the God-given talent. Equal rights
before the laws Of God and man, equal
opportunities Of choice between the evil
and the good, and the righteous judg-
ment of a just government"-these are
the doctrines fundamental to American
government and to the understanding
of this parable. Occupy till come"
emphasized the responsibility that rests
upon each one of us. We should utilize
what God has given to us. so that 1t will
yield its greatest profit and multiply it
self as much as possible. We are in
business for the Lord. We should be
traders and not traitors in building up
His Kingdom.
Reckonings and Rewards.
The glory of the gospel is seen in
the fact that God has used the lives
of imperfect men and women to ad-
vance the kingdom Let US make the
most Of our opportunity to extend the
word and the power Of the Spirit In
works and testimony that will honor
our Lord and help prepare the world
for our coming King. When He comes
He will bestow rewards in accordance
with our fidelity and fruitfulness The
two who had exercised their talents
in q way that was faithful found that
their fidelity was rewarded by being
trusted with enlarged and greater re-
Sponsibilities.
One had failed in securing any re-
suits because he had neglected to obey
the nobleman's command. He claimed
that it was his duty to save what the
Lord gave for use. His excuses con-
demned and convicted him. He lost
all. In this we see illustrated the life
Of formal professor of religion who
misconceived his own obligation and
misjudged his Master. The penalty
that he received should be a warning
to us lest we fail to be loyal to our
Lord. Selfishness always produces
spiritual atrophy. Our lives have been
given as trust by our absent Master
to be used in His service. If we by our
love. labor and life are loyal to Christ
He will reward our Self-denial. sacrifice
and service when He comes. Jesus
passed His severest condemnation upon
sins of omission. If we neglect to use
our life for Christ's service we will de-
serve His rejection. The lesson calls for
us to be loyal to Him, go forward and
succeed.