Vers. 11-27.-The parable of the pounds. This parable closely resembles that rcport':'d rn Matt. xxv. 14-30. The two a.re undoubtedly different, but they have much lil common. We cannot rightly nnderstand each without balancing it by the other. Certamly we realize the full effect of their application when, to borrow an expressive figure, we look on them" as twin parables, resembling one of those trees whose main trunk separates just above the earth into two equal towering stems." Thus connecting them, let us extra.et a. portion of the instruction conveyed, our topics these: (1) The endowments bestowed; (2) the trading recommended; and (3) the dealin_g ef the Master with his servants presented. L Observe the two principles which run in parallel lines as THE PRINCIPLES OF Goo's DISTRIBUTION OF ENDOWMENTS. 1. The parable of the talents su"gests an inequality in the gifts or faculties with which God enriches men: one gets fiv~ talents, another two, a.ad another one. And this description is entirely consistent with fact. It is true as to even the commonest things; it is true as to higher qualities of intellect and will. There is no dead level. There are hills and plains; there are gardens and deserts in man's world as well as in the physical universe. God takes fa.et into account. He distributes according to ability; he imposes responsibility according to ability. He cl· •;,o not demand that the one with two talents make the ten-only the four. Let tue vessel, according to its possibilities, be full; the smaller vessel is not required to hold the a.mount of the larger. One farm may not be as extensive as another, but it is still a. farm. Cultivate to the measure of the farm; make full use of the capital such as it is. "What but this, 0 man, does the Lord thy God require of thee?" 2. But observe the teaching in the parable of the pounds. If talents are unequally bestowed, remember every one has his ponnd. The pound was of very small value as compared with the talent-£3 or a little more as compared with £160. The ten servants get each one pound-the same sum in every case. We have varying capacity, but we have all some capacity-" a. little knowledge, a. little love, a. little experience, a. little money, a little favour with men, a. little conscience, a. little pity, a little time, a little oppor- tunity." We have one mina, one pound. Work, my brother, with thy pound, rather with the pound that the Lord has given thee. It may be increased tenfold, and the gain is (ver.17) a city for every added pound-a. blessing in possession, and rule, wholly uamerited by, yet graciously corresponding to, the servant's faithfulness. II. WHAT MEANS THE OCCUPYING OR TRADING WHICH TBE LORD ENJOINS ON ALT. ro WHOM HE GIVES HIS GOODS? Let it be remembered that, in the olden time, the relation between master and servant was different from that in our time. It is not usual to leave sums of money to the servant to be put out by him in his master's behalf when he tak.es a journey into the far country. But it was a common practice to make such arrangements as allowed the slave to transact business, either on condition of paying a yearly Bum to his master, or on the footing of a man with so much of anotht.'s weaith committed to hu, charge to be invested for the other'll benefit. To this custo:u our Lord refers. "Occupy [or,• tra.dc 'J till I come." '!'he two per11ons opposed are th11 OH, x1x. 1-18.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. 143
trader and tho idler; and the striking feature is that the idler is denounced 38 "the slothful and wicked servant." All start with some advantages; they are not persons just hired; they have been in his service, they know his character, and they know what he wants, The one who does not trade is lying whnn he excuses himself; his slothfulness (ver, 22) is sheer wickedness. The point of the exhortation can very readily be apprehended. God wants his interest, as the merchant wants his. How is this interest to be gained? 'l'he purpose and destination of life must be kept steadily in view- " Not enjoyment, e.nd not sorrow, Is our destined end and way: But to act that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day."