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Counsels on Stewardship
increase from ten talents of the man to whom He has given only one
talent. He does not expect the man of poverty to give alms as the man
who has riches. He does not expect of the feeble and suffering, the
activity and strength which the healthy man has. The one talent, used
to the best account, God will accept “according to that a man hath, and
not according to that he hath not.”
God calls us servants, which implies that we are employed by Him
to do a certain work, and to bear responsibilities. He has lent us capital
for investment. It is not our property; and we displease God if we
hoard up, or spend as we choose, our Lord’s goods. We are responsible
for the use or abuse of that which God has thus lent us. If this capital
which the Lord has placed in our hands lies dormant, or we bury it in
the earth, be it only one talent, we shall be called to an account by the
Master. He requires, not ours, but His own, with usury.
Every talent which returns to the Master, will be scrutinized. The
doings and trusts of God’s servants will not be considered an unim-
portant matter. Every individual will be dealt with personally, and
will be required to give an account of the talents entrusted to him,
whether he has improved or abused them. The reward bestowed will
be proportionate to the talents improved. The punishment awarded
will be according as the talents have been abused.—
The Review and
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Herald, February 23, 1886
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Entrusted Talents to Be Used
None should mourn that they have not larger talents. When they use
to the glory of God the talents He has given them, they will improve. It
is no time now to bemoan our position in life, and excuse our neglect
to improve our abilities because we have not another’s ability and
position, saying, O, if I had his gift and ability, I might invest a large
capital for my Master. If such persons use their one talent wisely and
well, that is all the Master requires of them....
I hope efforts will be made in every church to arouse those who
are doing nothing. May God make these realize that He will require of
them the one talent with improvement; and if they neglect to gain other
talents besides the one, they will meet with the loss of that one talent
and their own souls also. We hope to see a change in our churches. The
Householder is preparing to return and call His stewards to account for