COMMENTS
The "pound," being the same to all, fitly represents that blessing of Divine grace which is common to all God's people—Justification. Other endowments differ in quantity, according to our natural opportunities, and are generally of the Father—for instance, the Word and the Spirit. Our justification, while planned by the Father, is a gift from Jesus, because He paid for it with His own precious blood. The one "pound" each places all on a common footing as acceptable servants and permits each to show his zeal by his sacrificings. But the "talents," being distributed according to every man's ability, represent opportunities for the service of God along the lines of such abilities as we possess. They may be talents of education, or money, or influence, or good health, or time, or tact, or genius, with opportunities for their use in God's service.
A steward is one entrusted with the administration of another's goods, and the one who so entrusts him has the right to expect fidelity on his part. Jehovah makes us the stewards of as much of His goods as we have consecrated to Him, expecting us to be faithful in the exercise of this our stewardship. On His part He furnishes us with every opportunity necessary to the exercise of our stewardship in the interests of His cause. His kindness in this respect deserves our most loyal service.
1 Cor. 2; 3; 4; 2 Cor. 3; 4; 5; 6:1-10; Matt. 25:14-30; Luke 12:37, 38, 42-48; 16:10-12; 19:13-27; Rom.12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:7, 11, 29; Eph. 4:11; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 4:10.
