The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1934-11-22

LESSON TEXT-Matthew 25:14-30.
GOLDEN TEXT-His lord said unto
him. Well done, thou good and faithful
servant: thou hast been faithful over
a few things, I will make thee ruler
over many things: enter thou into the
joy of thy lord.-Matthew 25:21.
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Right Use of
Gods Gifts.
JUNIOR TOPIC-How to Use What
We Have.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-What We Owe to God.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C.-Stewardship of Service.
Stewardship here includes ones self
and misunderstanding in money
is only small part of our RESPONSE
bility. God has entrusted each of his
servants with certain gifts, and will
hold each responsible for the use he
makes of them. God has lent us CAPT,
tai, and one day will require of US a
report of the business we have done
with it. By talents is meant whatever
gifts and powers we possess as gifts
from God, whether of nature or of
grace, such as strength, reason, knowl-
edge, influence, time, money, ability to
speak, sing.
|. The Distribution of the Talents
wv II, 15).
l. 1t was a sovereign act. He called
his own servants and distributed to
them his own money. AS the one who
created us and owns us, he has as
signed US our places and given US our
several powers, intending that we put
them to the best possible use.
2. 1t was an intelligent act. The dis
tribution was made according to "sev-
eral ability" The God who made US
knew our ability to use gifts, there
fore he made the distribution upon
that basis. A recognition of Gods SOW
ereignty and intelligence regarding the
distribution of his gifts will make US
content in our sphere of labor.
3. 1t was a purposeful act. The tai
entS were given to be traded with.
They were not given to be used for
personal gain and profit, but as stock
in trade for the enrichment and glory
of the Master.
II. The Employment of the Talents
wv 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 as
have been given unto us.
:. Two servants used their talents.
The tive-talent man put his to use and
gained five more; the twO-talent man
put his to use and gained two more.
This shows that Gods gifts can be in
creased. The exercise of any gift in
creases it. 1t is not primarily a ques-
/, ton as to what we have received, but
as to what use we have made of what
we have received.
8. The one hid his talent. The crime
of the one-talent man was not that he
had but one talent. but that he hid the
talent which the Lord gave him. He
did nothing with it. To hide a talent
may be just as hard or harder than
to use it.
Ill. The Accounting for the Talents
(yv 1880.
l. Its certainty ". 19) There is a
day coming when we all must give an
account of our stewardship There is
absolutely no escape.
2. The time ". 19). The time of &C
counting will be at the second coming
of Christ. The Incentive to faithful
ness is the coming of the Lord.
3. The judgments announced wv.
203O)
a. Reward of the faithful wv. 2O-23)
(D. Praise, "Well DONE
All like to he praised. From child
hood on through life, commendation is
pleasing.
(2) Promotion, BE thou ruler over
many things" Much of that to which
we look forward in life is the passing
from lower to higher privileges and
positions.
(3) Entrance upon the JOY of the
Lord The five-talent man and the two
talent man received the same praise
and the same promotion.
b. Punishment of the faithless (vv
243O).
ID Reproach. Thou wicked and
slOthful servant" To be called lazy Is
reproach which even the lazy mar
dislikes.
~ Stripped, Take therefore the
talent from him." The talent entrusted
to him was to be taken from him.
(3) Cast out, Cast We the unprofit
able servant into outer darkness"
Truth Not Lost