The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 491

men of two talents have abounded, and have proved their fidelity by their fruitful industry. It is well for us to be on the look out for these worthy servants of God, that we may recognize and honour them. They &re the salt of the earth; they show us that God has not left himself without witness. It is especially pleasing to see men of the greatest endowments laying all their gifts out in the service of God. A truly Christian statesman or a poet of leading rank presents to us an inspiring sight of faith- ful service in high places. But the service may be equally true in the humblest walks of life. There is no reason why the man of one talent should not be as faithful as the man of five talents. II. GoD GENEROUSLY RECOGNIZES THE IIIEBITS OF HIS TRUE SERVANTS. Here we read of unstinted praise lavished upon them. It is true that no men have absolute merit wit.h God, that 1111 of us are sinful, and that all our good work is marred with evil. Any good in the work we have done is only accomplished by means of the grace of God, and therefore we must say," Not unto us, but unto thy Name be the glory." Yes; the glory is all God's. Still there is room for effort and fidelity. God acknow- ledges these qualities, and when he sees them he rejoices over them. In his great jL1dgment he will generously acknowledge them. llL 'fHE GROUNDS OF DIVINE BEWAIi.DB ABE IN THE 0HARAOTEB OF THE SEBVI0Pl RENDERED. These &re not found in the amount of work considered by itself. God does not give men wages. Nor does the system of payment by" piece-work" obtain in the kingdom of heaven. God's method is to take account of character, of motive, of the way in which a person makes use of what is entrusted to him. Thus they who produce most results will not be honoured more than those people whose efforts result in lees visible effects, but who are equally faithful with their smaller gifts. Still there is a sort of "payment by results." God looks for fruit. Fidelity cannot be sterile. The faithful servant will certainly have something to show for his efforts, though it may not be all he hoped for, or anything like what men demanded of him. IV. GoD BEWA.BDS BIS GOOD AND FAITJIP't7L SERVANTS BY 0OJIIMITTING A LARGE 1111-"ISTBY TO THEIR oHAllGE. Instead of talents, these servants are to have cities. Fidelity in small things proves the character and trains the powers, and so prepares for service in large things. "'1ilow, this enlarged service is the best reward that can be offered to the diligent servant. Such a man does not desire to be released from responsibility. The paradise of idleness would be no heaven to him. He has a reward which would be a purgatory to the indolent man. Here lies the way to the joy of the Lord. They share God's joy who serve in God's kingdom, and the joy ia greatest when the service is most full-W. F. A. Ver. 29.-Tlu, Divine law of iru:rease. Jesus Christ here enunciates a deep and far-reaching principle. It is one which at first sight may strike us as harsh and even as unjust; yet a little consideration should reveal its absolute equity. So great and imoortant a law ca.nnot be without its serious lessons of warning and encouragement. i. THE SCOPE OJ!' THE LAW. 1. In ezternal natwe. We not only see the survival of the fittest, but its propagation and ext.ension. Those plants and animals which are most suited to their circumstances not only flourish beet; they multiply greatly. :Moreover, it is jnst in them that we are to look for the appearance of r.ew and more advantageous modifications of structure. 2. In owr bodily life. 'l'he athlete strengthens hie mll6Cles with exercise, The musical ear becomes more musical by listening to music. On the other hand, the muscle of the feeble invalid who is not strong enough to take exercise dwindles away, and the senses that are not used become dull and blind. 8. In owr men,i,al facul,tiu. The powerful intellect of the thinker grows stronger by his thinking, while the feeble intellect of the dullard becomes weaker by neglect. 4. In apiritual ~ . The life of communion with God grows deeper and larger the more truly it ill lived. 5. Jn Ohriatiam work. This is what our Lord had especially in mind when he proclaimed his great law. It is by working for God that we grow strong in God. Thus if there is a rivalry between the contemplative and the active life in religion, our Lord would seem to favour the latter &11 the more fruitful in good to the Christian him.self. II. TBE .TOSTIOE or THE LAW, A similar principle seems to be at work among human atrai.rs where it i118ues in most hard and cruel reault11 and where it certalnlr oa. xxv.1-46.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. M.ATTHRW. 407