December 5
Intrusted Talents
The Christian's Daily Treasury"Occupy till I come."—Luke 19:13.
WE have, in the chapter before us, the parable of the pounds. This represents our Saviour's return from earth to heaven, to take possession of his kingdom, and the opportunities and advantages he gives to us, to use them till the time of reckoning, when he shall come at the last day to judge the world. There are many talents he has given us—reason, health, property, influence, the means of grace and religious privileges, are so many talents, concerning which he says, "Occupy till I come." Let us here consider time as a talent intrusted to us to improve.
IT IS A TALENT COMMITTED TO US BY GOD.
He is our Benefactor; "every good and perfect gift is derived from him." Have we life? "In him we live, and move, and have our being." Are we possessed of rational faculties? "The inspiration of the Almighty hath given us understanding." Are we destined to live forever? He kindleth that spark which the waters of death cannot quench. All our advantages are only ours for a season, and human life itself
"Is but a loan to be repaid with usury, When he shall come to call his debtors to account, From whom are all our blessings."
IT IS A TALENT OF GREAT VALUE.
What Job said of wisdom may be applied to time. "It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed as the price thereof." Would you know the value of time? Remember on this moment hangs eternity. Would you know the value of time? "Ask death-beds; they can tell." How many who have squandered away their lives, have said at the last, Oh that I might live one year, one month, one day longer! Oh that the sun might go back ten degrees, as it did on the dial of Ahaz, or even stand still, as it did in answer to Joshua's desire, that I might implore mercy from heaven, ere the darkness of death encompasses me; but no, the appointed time is expired, the divine patience is exhausted, the day of grace is closed, the arrow is flown, the moment is gone, the soul is launched into the ocean of eternity. Would you know the value of time? Remember, when once lost, it can never be regained.