The Signs of the Times
March 1, 1899
The Parable of the Householder—No. 1
After Jesus had spoken the parables recorded in the thirteenth chapter of Matthew, he ended by inquiring, “Have ye understood all these things?” They said unto Him, “Yea, Lord. Then said He unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.” ST March 1, 1899, par. 1
“Things new and old.” The Gospel is not merely the New Testament. It is the Old Testament as well as the New. One is not complete without the other. Jesus declared that the truths of the Old Testament are just as valuable as those of the New. Christ was just as much man's Redeemer in the beginning of the world as He is today. No one has ever been saved except by faith in Him. In the Old Testament dispensation, as well as in the New, He was the only one who could speak pardon to the sons and daughters of Adam. ST March 1, 1899, par. 2
Christ was the foundation of the whole Jewish economy. But the Jewish nation unduly exalted the forms and maxims which had been handed down from rabbi to rabbi. They taught error instead of truth. Many of the doctrines they cherished were not in the Bible, but were the opinions of men. The Jewish leaders thought themselves to be the most religious people in the world; but Christ said to them, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God,” “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Ye make void the law of God by your traditions. ST March 1, 1899, par. 3
This many of the teachers in the churches are doing today. They propagate error by teaching for doctrine the commandments of men. In no way do their lives honor God or the Scriptures. Falsehoods which have been handed down from century to century are taught as the Word of God. If these are questioned, those who advocate them do not say, “Let us search the Word of God, which is the test of all doctrine; let us compare scripture with scripture, for the Word of God is the treasure-house of all knowledge.” Instead, they utterly refuse to make unprejudiced investigation. ST March 1, 1899, par. 4
Many of those to whom the people look for instruction are not leading their flocks to the pure water of life. If by reading the Word one is awakened to search for truth, if by seeking to know what the Scriptures teach, he shows that he would become a wise householder, he is charged with doing great mischief. He sees the truth, not as the ministers have declared it, but as Christ has presented it in the Old and New Testaments, and as a faithful steward he tells those around him; for he would have them share with him the message of grace. But how is he treated by the religious teachers?—Just as Christ was treated by the Jewish leaders. He is held up to ridicule. The ministers denounce him from the pulpit, declaring that he is causing division in the churches. Eternal interests are at stake, but those who ought to receive the light with rejoicing, fight against the Word of God as dangerous. They do not say to those they think are misled: “Come, let us examine this subject together. If you have received light, give it to us; for we need every ray of light that is shining from the Word of God. Our souls will be imperiled if we entertain and teach error.” ST March 1, 1899, par. 5
If those who are now advocating error would listen to God speaking in His Word, they would see that they are teaching for doctrine the commandments of men. They would refuse to follow the example of the Jews by reiterating assertions which have not a “Thus saith the Lord” for a foundation. This is the only true course for those to pursue who would teach God's Word. True knowledge will be found by every humble searcher. Men of every rank, learned and unlearned, may understand the Scriptures for themselves. The Eternal Mind has declared the truth, and this truth is of the highest value to those who receive and practise it. ST March 1, 1899, par. 6
By Christ's death on the cross, human beings have been raised in the scale of moral value. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Christ looked into the mind of man, and He saw that it was debased and corrupted by sin. He determined to present in the most attractive light the principles of the Gospel, that man might receive and obey them. He desired to refine, purify, ennoble the powers He had given to man, that they might act the part for which they were created. If permitted, the lower passions will obtain the mastery over the whole being. Christ would have these passions subject to the higher powers of the mind. ST March 1, 1899, par. 7
Christ presented the cross to His disciples. “If any man will come after Me,” He said, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” The cross must be lifted by all who receive Christ as their Saviour. God does not forgive sin to encourage us to continue in sin. It is to bring sin to a close, that the divine nature may take possession of the being, and the riches of heaven be poured into mind and heart. God has made every provision that the divine resources may flow freely, and we are to deem no sacrifice too costly in order that the treasures of truth may be given to the world. To fall short of this is a betrayal of sacred trust. ST March 1, 1899, par. 8
Those who claim to preach Christ while they declare that the law of God is abrogated, do not preach the truth. Had not God's law been unchangeable, Christ need not have suffered on Calvary. He died that the transgressor of the law might be pardoned, and return to his loyalty. He took human nature upon Himself, and suffered for us, that we might have another trial, that we might be given opportunity to leave the banner of rebellion, and stand under the banner of the Prince of Light. And He declared, “I have kept My Father's commandments.” In Him is no sin. “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin.” Christ's sacrifice would have converted the world to truth if false teachers had not upheld false doctrines, making it appear a virtue to trample on the law of Jehovah. ST March 1, 1899, par. 9
God would have His people proclaim to the world the great truths of redemption. He would have them tell of the great sacrifice made to restore the almost obliterated moral image of God. When men partake of the divine nature, they will bring forth from the treasure of the heart things new and old. They will open to those around them the great truths of the Word of God in our world. ST March 1, 1899, par. 10
In order to possess the heavenly treasures, man must have a faith in the truth that works by love and purifies the soul. He must search diligently and earnestly, and He must impart to others what He has received. He can not continue to receive heavenly treasure without communicating to those around him. He must not consult his own pleasure or ease. A great responsibility rests on him to give the truth to others, that they also may receive its saving principles, and with heaven-born zeal develop an enlarged comprehension of and appreciation for the heavenly treasure. As a faithful householder he is to bring forth from the Old and New Testaments eternal, unchangeable truth. As he does this, the treasure in his possession will increase. ST March 1, 1899, par. 11
When the truth is received into the heart, the habits and customs are conformed to Christ. The learner feels bound to uplift the Saviour. The truth works by love and purifies his soul, and he regards God's commands, not as being abrogated, but as unchangeable truth, given to the world from the beginning. He presents the treasures of God's Word in a fresh and agreeable way, because the truth has taken possession of his mind, his heart, his entire being. ST March 1, 1899, par. 12
Mrs. E. G. White