January 11

“The second came and said–Master, your pound has earned five pounds!” — Luke 19:18

Christ gives into no man’s hand at the beginning of his life–a finely trained, fully developed mind. The great poets and writers of the world, began with only one pound. There was capacity for growth–but that was all. Christ gives to no one at the start a noble, full-statured, rich, transfigured Christian character, with spiritual graces all blossoming out. The most saintly Christians began with very little saintliness, very little spiritual power. The most useful men in the church, began with a very small and imperfect sort of usefulness.

Those whose influence for good now touches thousands of lives, and extends over whole communities, or fills an entire country–had nothing to begin with—but one little pound of capacity which the Master entrusted to them. This is the principle on which all our Lord’s gifts are distributed. He puts into our hands a little at first; and as we use what we have, and gain experience, and show ability, and prove faithful to our trust–he adds more and more, giving us all we can use well, and as fast as we can use it!