In This Issue

• THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS
• HOW TO HELP YOUR PREACHER
• "THEY SAY AND DO NOT DO"
• HE PACKED A LIBRARY
• UPCOMING GOSPEL MEETING SCHEDULE
• MORE INFORMATION...

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. Therefore you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 25:14-30).

Note some ways this parable corresponds with the kingdom of heaven. First, citizens in Christ's church or kingdom do not all possess the same abilities. In the parable, the master knew his servants' abilities and gave them responsibilities accordingly. In New Testament times, a talent was a particular amount of money. But Jesus used the "talent" to represent men's differing abilities -- and from His usage of that term, the English word talent has come to have its modern meaning. Our heavenly Father holds us responsible according to the abilities with which He has blessed us. Note also that each servant possesses SOME ability. God didn't make any no-talent men (or women).

Second, even though their abilities differed, they could be equally faithful. Two of them were equally commended and equally rewarded.

Third, note that the man who did not use his talent was considered wicked. It is wicked to waste talents we should use in God's service.

Fourth, note that in this parable and its context, there are several hints that the second coming of Jesus would not occur as soon as some disciples expected, vs. 19. See also Matt. 24:48 and 25:5.

Finally, note that when Christ does return, all servants must give account. Some will be shut out because of their wickedness or laziness. The faithful will be eternally blessed.

--CRJ

HOW TO HELP YOUR PREACHER

Did you hear about the chain letter, "Are you tired of your preacher? If so, bundle him up and send him to the church at the top of the list. In just two weeks, you will receive 1,206 preachers. Of that number, one or two should be real dandies. WARNING! Do not break the chain. One church did and got its old preacher back."

We can laugh at the above. Yet, churches should realize it is sometimes easier to keep a pretty good preacher than to find another. Many leaders are coming to realize that strong churches are not built by preachers of short tenure. Most members honestly want to help their preacher to do and be better. If you do, here are some suggestions.

ACCEPT HIM AS HE IS. Acceptance is so necessary in the most vital of human relationships. We know we cannot demand perfection in our mate, our co-workers or our friends. Let’s give the preacher the same consideration.

ACCEPT HIS HUMANITY. Probably, your preacher will make mistakes. In fact, there is no way he can keep from it. IF he sins, forgive him. If he offends you or someone else, give him the benefit of the doubt. Forgive him completely if he repents. Don’t treat him on the basis of his past mistakes. Allow him the same benefit of the doubt you allow other people.

PRAYER IS USUALLY MORE EFFECTIVE THAN CRITICISM. Gossip is complaining to someone who can do nothing about the situation. If you have a problem with the preacher, why not talk to him instead of someone else. Above all, talk to God about the problem. If only ten critics would agree to spend as much time praying as they do complaining, how much better would the preaching be?

GENUINELY ENCOURAGE HIM WHEN POSSIBLE. It is easy to adopt the attitude of the old man whose wife complained he never said he loved her. "I told you the day we got married. If I change my mind, I will let you know." Yet, even a dog needs an occasional pat on the head. Don’t flatter, don’t be dishonest, but do encourage your preacher when you can.

DON’T BEGRUDGE HIM AN OCCASIONAL BREAK. Preachers need a vacation. Even if he does some preaching while away, don’t be surprised. It does him good to preach to some different people occasionally. He is your preacher, but he works for the Lord and in a sense he serves the universal church.

DEMAND EXCELLENCE FROM HIM. There is no excuse for unprepared preaching. There is no excuse for a lack of study. If he is not constantly learning, he is dying. Encourage good preaching and ministry. By approving his excellence, he will work even harder. Sometimes people say, "I believe your preaching is getting better." They should, because every preacher should be constantly improving.

You don’t have to answer a chain letter to get a better preacher. Work with the one you have. 

--Ancil Jenkins via Market St., Athens, AL

"THEY SAY AND DO NOT DO"

James writes, "But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works" (James 2:18). Is it possible to SHOW faith without works? Consider the 11th chapter of Hebrews. The only way Noah could show his faith was to move with godly fear and build the ark, verse 7. The only way Abraham could show his faith was to obey God, verse 8. The same is true of the other heroes of the faith mentioned in that chapter. Can any man give EVIDENCE of faith without actively serving God? I deny that such is possible. I challenge anyone to show real evidence of his trust in God outside of the deeds he does in submission to God’s will.

Some say they have faith in the promises of God in Matt. 18:20 and John 12:26, yet they fail to attend most of the Bible classes and the Sunday evening evangelistic services. Does their absence show faith? Show me your faith without works. Can it be done? I will show my faith by my works.

Virtually all brethren say they believe that it is important for an individual to study and understand the will of God, then to obey it. Do you agree? And do you DO it? Or do you "say and not do"? Do you pass up most opportunities for public study, then fail to even read the Scriptures at home -- or at best, read only occasionally and haphazardly? Do you show your faith by your works?

Do you neglect private prayer? Does your family give thanks at meal time? Are you concerned that your children prepare their lessons for the Bible classes as you are that they complete their homework assignments for school? "Show me your faith without your works and I will show my faith by my works."

Does your language show that you are a Christian? Have you put away lying, slander, etc.? Do you use God’s name only in reverence? Or does your speech betray you?

Is your life a continual confession of your faith in Jesus Christ? He warns that to be ashamed of Him in this wicked and adulterous generation is to cause Him to be ashamed of us in the day of judgment, Mark 8:38. Do you show your faith by your works, or do the actions of your life betray a lack of real Bible faith? Are you a doer of the word and not a hearer only, James 1:22? Or, do you say and not do?

One "follower" of God who continually sets the wrong example before others can do more harm to the cause of Christ than a thousand atheists actively opposing God with all their might. Christ warns, "Woe to you... hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in" (Matt. 23:13). 

--CRJ

HE PACKED A LIBRARY

A story was told of a young man who was preparing to take a long trip. He told his friend, "I am just about packed I have to put in: a guide book, a mirror, a microscope, a lamp, a telescope, volume of fine poetry, a package of old letters, a few biographies, a book of psalms, a sword, a hammer, a set of books I've been studying."

You can't get all that in your bag said his friend. "Oh! yes, I can he replied," and with that he placed his Bible in the corner of his suit case and closed the lid.

--Unknown

MORE INFORMATION...