We hear a great deal about; the authority of the Church in these days, as a determiner of truth and as a prescriber of Christian action. It means generally official authority, the power of guidance and definition of the Church's action, etc., which some people think is lodged in the hands of preachers, pastors, priests, either individually or collectively. There is nothing of that sort meant here. Whatever this authority is, it belongs to the whole body of the servants, not to individuals among them. It is the prerogative of the whole ecclesia, not of some handful of them. This honour,' whatever it be, have all the saints.'
Explain by reference to the kings of the earth exercise lordship over them'; the greatest shall be your servant.' It is then but another name for capacity for service, power to bless, etc.
And this idea is still further borne out if we go back to the parable of our text. A man leaves his house in charge of his servants. To them is committed the responsibility for his goods. His honour and interests are in their hands. They have control over his possessions. This is the analogy which our Lord suggests as presenting a vivid likeness to our position in the world.
Christ has committed the care of His kingdom, the glory of His name, the growth of His cause in the world to His Church, and has endowed it with all talents,' i.e. gifts needful for that work. Or, to put it in other words, they are His representatives in the world. They have to defend His honour. His name is scandalised or glorified by their actions. They have to see to His interests. They are charged with the carrying out of His mind and purposes.
The foundation of all is laid. Henceforth building on it is all, and that is to be done by men. Human lips and Christian effort--not without the divine Spirit in the word--are to be the means.
It is as when same commander plans his battle, and from an eminence overlooks the current of the fight, and marks the plunging. legions as they struggle through the smoke. He holds all the tremendous machinery in his hands. The plan and the glory are his, but the execution of the plan lies with the troops.
In a still more true sense all the glory of the Christian conquest of the world is His, but still the instruments are ourselves. The whole counsel of God is on our side. We go not a warfare at our own charges.' Note the perfect consistency of this with all that we hold of the necessity of divine influence, etc.
His servants are intrusted with all His goods.' They have authority over the gifts which He has given them, i.e. Christian men are stewards of Christ's riches for others.
They have access to the free use of them all for themselves.
Thus the authority' is all derived. It ,is all given for the sake of others. It is all capacity for service. Hence--
