A Bible Study by A. T. Robinson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Feb 25, 1904

A Bible Study

By A. T. Robinson

God's Ownership and Man's Stewardship—No. 1

A Bible Study

A. T. ROBINSON

MATT. 25:14-30. Read carefully the parable of the talents. Who is represented by the man traveling into a far country? Whom did he call together before leaving for a far country? Whose goods did he deliver unto his servants? Upon what basis was the distribution of goods made? Did all receive the same amount? What is a man called who is entrusted with the use of another's goods? 1 Peter 4:10. What is required on the part of stewards? 1 Cor. 4:1, 2. What use was made of their Lord's goods by the different classes spoken of in the parable? What did the man do who had received the one talent? Where did he bury his talent?—“In the earth.” Think of it. What was it he hid in the earth?—“His Lord's money.” Then does this parable have reference to the use we make of temporal things?—“The parable of the talents has not been fully understood. This important lesson was given to the disciples for the benefit of Christians living in the last days; and these talents do not represent merely the ability to preach and instruct from the Word of God. The parable applies to the temporal means which God has entrusted to his people.”—“Testimonies,” Vol. I, page 197. In the parable, what took place after a long time? When he came back, what did he do with his servants? Whose coming, after a long absence, is now very near? To what account will each of his servants be called when he comes? Will this reckoning take place after he comes in the clouds of heaven, or before? In what hour are we now living? Rev. 14:7.

1 Cor. 6:19, 20. Read and study this passage carefully. Does a man belong to himself? Why does he not belong to himself? Does this ownership have reference to a man's body? 1 Thess. 5:23. Then to whom should we make an unreserved surrender of ourselves? Matt. 22:21. How many are willing to make this surrender, just now?

Read carefully Ps. 24:1; 50:10-12; Haggai 2:8. To whom does the whole world and all that is therein belong? The beasts? the cattle? the fowls? the food? the silver? the gold?

Ex. 20:8-11. Repeat the fourth commandment. How much of the time has the Lord made man a steward of? Verse 9. How much of the time has he laid his hand upon, saying, “This is mine”? Then what should we do with the Sabbath? Matt. 22:21; Ex. 20:10. Upon what is the right to make this reservation based? Verse 11.

Lev. 27:30, 31. Study carefully these verses. Upon how much of all that comes to us, has the Lord laid his hand, saying, “This is mine, it is holy unto the Lord”? Upon what is the right to make this reservation based? Deut. 8:18. Then what should we do with one tenth of all that comes to us? Matt. 22:21.

Study Mal. 3:7-12. What does the Lord promise to those who return unto him? What question does this call forth? What question suggests the answer? What is the answer to the question, “Wherein have we robbed thee?” What does he say is the result of thus robbing God? What does the Lord command those to do who have been robbing him? What condition has the Lord made upon which restitution is to be made? Lev. 27:31. Can one afford to deal with the Lord on this plan? Mal. 3:10. Can one afford not to do so? Mal. 3:9; Haggai 1:5-9.