Your ShelfYour Projects

The Sabbath-School

2%

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 19, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 32.

Read the full edition

The Sabbath-School.

Tithes and Offerings.

PARABLE OF THE TALENTS.

(Lesson 9, August 31, 1889.)
1. WHAT led the Saviour to leave Heaven, endure the cross, and despise the shame of coming to this world?
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb. 12:2.
2. What joy will all the saved share?
"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." Matt. 25:21.
3. What will be the joy of Christ?
"He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied; by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities." Isa. 53:11.
4. In what will the saints rejoice in glory?
"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy." 1 Thess. 2:19, 20.
5. In the parable of the talents, what had the individuals done which led their lord to speak such words of commendation?
"And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more." "He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents; behold, I have gained two other talents beside them." Matt. 25:20, 22.
6. What did the man do who had the one talent?
"And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth; lo, there thou hast that is thine." Verse 25.
7. How did he feel because his lord asked him to invest it where it would increase?
"Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewed." Verse 24.
8. To whom did his talents belong?
"Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury." Luke 19:23.
9. How did the lord judge him?
"And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow." "And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds." Verses 22, 24.
10. What was his final sentence?
"And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt. 25:30.
11. What will be said to everyone who enters the kingdom of God?
"And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant." Luke 19:17, first clause.
12. Can our means be so used as to bear fruit throughout eternity?
"He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth forever; his horn shall be exalted with honor." Ps. 112:9.
13. Is it the amount or the motive that makes the gift acceptable?
"And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward." Matt. 10:42.
14. What things does the apostle mention, which may be so used as to insure to us eternal life?
"That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." 1 Tim. 6:18, 19.
15. What forcible illustration does Daniel give to represent the condition of those who are saved?
"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever." Dan. 12:3.
16. Who are illustrated by the parable of the talents?
"For the kingdom of Heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods." Matt. 25:14.
17. Is everyone responsible? and to what extent?
"And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey." Verse 15.
18. What period of time is referred to in the parable of the talents?
"After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them." Verse 19.
19. In what way are we to lead others to Christ?
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." Matt. 5:16.