Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 May 1914 — BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE STUDY ON [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE STUDY ON

THE UNJUST STEWARD. Luke 16:1-13—May 10. “He that is faithful in ,i i<r u little is faithful also in much; and he that is unrighteous in a vert/ little is unrighteous tn much.”—Verse to. BECAUSE the Pharisees were the leading exponents us the 4 Law, Jesus'pointed many of His parables against them, while He comparatively ignored the irreligious Jews—the Sadducees, who made no profession of faith. Today’s lesson was spoken as a rebuke to the spirit of the Pharisees, who bound heavy bu rd ens u pou ot hers, bu t shirked them themselves, while pretending hearty obedience to the Law. In olden times, more than now, it was the custom for rich men to appoint stewards. Such a steward had absolute control of his master's goods. The one mentioned in pur Lord’s parable was extravagant; wasteful, unsatisfactory. His master concluded to dispense with bis services. and asked him to render up his accounts. ■ On his books were certain debtors who apparently could not meet t heir obligations. The steward' concluded to scale off these debts, so that the debtors could pay before he turned over his office to his successor. One owing a hundred bath of oil was told to scale it down to fifty; another owing a hundred measures of wheat, to scale it down twenty per cent.: etc. Such a use of his authority made him friends amongst those favored; and his lord complimented the wisdom displayed.

Hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for taking an opposite course. He declared that they sat in Moses' seat as Interpreters of the Law; and that, had they followed this steward's course, they

would have made friends of publicans and sinners, by encouraging them to do their be S t to comply with the Law. Instead, they bound h cavy burdens upon the people, discouraged them and a I i on a ted their sympathy. All this was hypocrisy; for they knew their own

inability to comply witii the Law. which is the fdll measure of a perfect man’s ability. Their proper attitude would have been to confess their own shortcomings, to strive to do their best, to cry to God for mercy and to teach the people to do similarly. Thus they would have been better prepared for the Gospel. As it was, they were hindering both themselves and others from becoming Jesus’ disciples.

Applying the Parable. When God's people give themselves to Him, they give also their earthly rights and interests, and become merely stewards of their time, talent, influence. wealth, etc. These stewards have God’s approval in the use of all earthly things to the forwarding of their spiritual interests. As they use earthly opportunities for advancing Heavenly interests, this will be reckoned to them for wise stewardship. Being found faithful in the use of earthly things In God’s service, the/ can be safely entrusted with a share in Messiah’s glorious Kingdom. Their unselfishness, their willingness to sacrifice. will be the basis of Divine approval. -Whoever selfishly appropriates tho things of which he is steward will not be trusted with the future great things. Whoever Sacrifices will thus demonstrate his faithfulness, his loyalty, to God; and to such the greater things will be entrusted. t Would God entrust the riches of the future life to any who now prove themselves unfaithful, selfish, covetous, using present blessings for self-gratification? Surely not! Serving Two Masters.

There are two great impelling powers; one evil, the other good. God is the Good Master; Satan, the evil master. God. His Spirit and His teachings, are represented by the word Love; Satan and his course by selfishness, covetousness, mammon. Through Adam’s fall the whole world has lost the Spirit of God. and has been under

Satan's domination for centuries. The spirit of selfishness, covetousness. has gotten bold upon mankind. so that only with great difficulty can its |>cwer be broken. But here comes in the Gospg I proposition. God de s 1 res some faithful souls to

be associated witli Jesus in dispensing His blessings. He offers this great prize of the Kingdom to those who demonstrate that Jhey have the right spirit. Wlmever accepts the Gospel call turns his back upon sin. selfishness, and all works of the flesh and the devil, related thereto, and sets his face God ward Then he must demonstrate not only that he prefers right to wrong on equal terms, but that he is willing to suffer the loss of all things that be may be on the right side, on God’s side. Then comes the trial, the testing. He seeks to serve God and to gain the Divine reward. But be finds in his flesh a tendency to, appreciate the rewards of mammon, selfishness. This brings about the great battle. One or the other must conquer. But God has promised grace sufficient in every time of need, although He requires us to do all that we are able.

Jesus Teaching by Parables.

the Unjust Steward.