NOTES by Editor | AdventAI

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

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

NOTES.

By Editor

CHRIST's joy will be in bringing many souls into glory (Heb. 2:10); it was for this that he became obedient unto death, and it is declared (Isa. 53:11) that "he shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied," and all who are saved will be partakers with him; to each one it will be said, "Well done, good and faithful servant;" "enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matt. 25:23. But Christ labored and suffered for the salvation of souls, and if we share the glory we must also share the labor and the suffering. As it is written (2 Tim. 2:12), "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us." To deny Christ it is not necessary that we say in words, as did Peter, "I know not the man," but we may deny him by refusing to suffer hardship or self-denial for his sake or in his cause. To acknowledge Christ is to serve and obey him in all things, and this we cannot do without, to some extent, suffering with him.

WHAT the talents are and their use have been discussed in the SIGNS in the past, numbers 25, 26 of the present volume. We briefly restate some of the evidences given at that time concerning this important parable. It is a parallel to the parable of the pounds in Luke 19.

THE TIME OF ITS APPLICATION.—This is evidently the whole Christian dispensation. The man traveling into a far country (Matt. 25) and the nobleman (Luke 19) represents our Lord Jesus Christ. His going away to a far country was his ascension into Heaven after his resurrection. His return or coming again (Luke 19:15, Matt. 25:19) is his second advent. Therefore the parable covers the Christian dispensation. But as regards all other practical truth, it is of double importance as we near the end. The Lord is coming, and every talent ought to be used in his service.

WHAT THE TALENTS ARE.—They are gifts bestowed by the Saviour of the world to be used in his service. This is clear from both parables. But the pounds and talents are only symbols of what these gifts really are. Paul tells us in Eph. 4:7-12 what these talents represent. They are given through the grace of Christ; they were given when Christ ascended on high; and some of these gifts are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers. 1 Cor. 12 calls these gifts "spiritual gifts" because given by the Spirit of God. Similar statements are given in Rom. 12. 1 Cor. 12 and Rom. 12 name additional gifts. These gifts are wisdom, knowledge, government, exhortation, tongues, miracles, healing, interpretation of tongues, ministering, giving, or liberality. It is thus seen that all phases of work are covered by these gifts. The Lord is a generous giver.

TO WHOM GIVEN.—The talents were given to "his own servants," to every one. All are therefore responsible. The gifts are given to the church. 1 Cor. 12:28. How generous the supply! Not that all will be prophets or apostles or teachers, but that all may have a part somewhere, an effectual, useful part in the blessed service of the Master. Not one single soul need be deprived of holy service; not one but what will receive from the Master one talent if he is only the Lord's own servant. This implies consecration and a recognition of the fact, on the part of the children of God, that they are bought with a price, and that they belong body and soul to Christ. They will then truly yield themselves his own bond slaves to do his service, whatever that service may be. And for that service the Master fits them by the bestowal of talents "according to their ability." They may not be able to bear the office of apostles, he makes them teachers, or he bestows wisdom to plan, or power to exhort, or those which every one nearly may possess, the blessed, humble gifts of ministry and liberality toward God.

FOR WHAT PURPOSE.—The gifts are bestowed that man may increase them (1 Cor. 12:7); that they may be used "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:12); and that Christ's servants may return them with interest. Matt. 25. The "work of the ministry" means for the service of God; "for the edifying of the body of Christ" means the building up of the church of Christ. Just the same as the members of the body work together in harmony for the building up of the body, so the members of Christ's body with these various gifts should work together in his service for the building up of his church, which is nothing less than the salvation of precious souls. Our Lord Jesus Christ is engaged in the same work and we are co-laborers with him. Zech. 6:12, 13.

OBSERVATIONS.—What a precious thought it is that every one of the servants of God may have at least one talent, or one pound, and may use it to God's glory! It need not be buried in the earth, and it will not be if we use it in his service. How many may minister in a multitude of ways to others, how many may be liberal either of their little or much! But if these talents, and we may have but one, are neglected, God will add no more to them, and we will find ourselves with no increase at the last. To not use the talent is to bury it in the earth; it is to allow earthly things to cover it up and hide it from our eyes. Yet the one pound might have gained ten pounds. The one gift of the Spirit might have been so used that the Spirit would add to it others. And then notice the value of these gifts. They are represented, not by a denomination of money of no value, but by those of highest value, pounds and talents. A talent of gold was worth about $25,000. They are all supernatural

gifts, heavenly bestowments, even the humblest and most ordinary. How ought we to prize them and use them!

THOSE who thus labor for Christ, who use their talents for his glory, and who thereby gather souls for his kingdom, will partake of the Master's joy at last and will be glorified with him. They have labored because they loved Christ; he will glorify them because they loved him. In that kingdom without end, they shall "shine as the brightness of the firmament" (the sun) and "as the stars forever and ever." The sufferings, the toil, the burdens, of this present time "are not worthy to be compared with the glory to be revealed in us."