Notice this contrast between two kinds of men: the one cares for himself, is anxious for this life, worries about food and clothes and standing a cubit higher in the estimate of his fellows; the other is content to fill the niche and do the work assigned him by the Father. And he performs his life-task, not for the remuneration it will bring, but for the “welldone” of God—sure that all which is needed, whether for his soul or body, will be provided by him who gave him being. The Father knows thy varied need, trust him!

Do not think of God as grudging! It is your Father’s good pleasure to give. Nothing delights him more than to be able to “give good things to them that ask him.” For him also “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Remember that the best investments are those we store, not in banks, etc., but in the lives of others: for God himself guarantees the interest.

Luke 12:35-48, The Lord leads our thoughts on to his advent, when he will call his servants to account. The day may pass into the evening, the evening into the night, and the night may even begin to wear away to the morning, but the faithful servants keep their watch. Their loins are girt to serve, and the house is radiant with their trimmed lights. Presently he comes, and he raises his slaves to sit at his table! They are henceforth his friends—and his highly honored friends—whom he serves with his own hands. The grandeur of the reward seems to have been too much for Peter to grasp, v. 41. Surely it couldn’t be for all. Yes, said our Lord in

effect, to all who are faithful to their possibilities and use their position and gifts for others.

How abrupt and awful the contrast in vs. 45-48! The greater our responsibility, the greater our condemnation, if we fail. Retribution is the inevitable penalty of infidelity to trust; but it will be precisely proportioned to our knowledge of the Lord’s will. There are degrees or grades in retribution as in glory.