If they
will not be faithful in that which is another man's--in plain English, if
they will not pay their debts honestly, who will give them that which is
their own--the inspiration of God's indwelling Spirit? Would to God all
high religious professors would recollect that, and be just and honest,
before they pretend to higher graces and counsels of perfection.
This lesson, then, I think our Lord means to teach us. I do not say it
is the only lesson in the parable; God forbid. But I think that our
Lord's own words show us that this IS one lesson. That, however pious we
are, however enlightened we are, however useful we wish to be; in one
word, however much we are, or fancy ourselves to be, children of light,
our first duty as Christian men is the duty which lies nearest us--that
of which it is written: "If a man know not how to rule his own house,
how shall he take care of the Church of God?" And again, "If any provide
not for his own and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied
the faith, and is worse than an infidel." Our first duty, I say, as
Christian men, is to be just and honest in money matters and every-day
business; and over and above that, to be generous and liberal therein.
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