Chapter XVI: Ten Thousand Talents

MATTHEW 18.24

ONE day Peter asked Jesus how often we ought to forgive anyone who had done us a wrong?

And our Lord told them this story—

There was a certain king, who wished to settle up his accounts with his servants; and when he had begun to reckon with them, one was brought before him who owed him ten thousand talents.

It was quite impossible for the servant to pay, and as he had not the money, the king commanded that he and all his family should be sold, and payment made.

Then the servant fell at the king's feet and besought him to have pity, and he would try to pay it all.

And the king was sorry for him, and had compassion, and forgave every bit of it, and set him free!

But what do you think that forgiven servant did?

He found one of his fellow-servants who owed him a hundred pence; and he seized him, and said, "Pay me what thou owest!"

And the poor fellow-servant said, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you all!"

But the servant who had been forgiven, would not; but cast his fellow-servant into prison till he should pay the debt.

So the other servants were very sorry, and went and told their Lord all about it.

And the king called that unforgiving servant, and said to him: "I forgave thee all that debt; shouldest not thou have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee?"

And the king was angry, and said he would have to be punished, and to pay the debt.

And our dear Lord Jesus adds this solemn warning to us all—

"So likewise shall my Heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts do not forgive everyone his brother their trespasses."

Now this brings us to ourselves. Perhaps you know yourselves how difficult it is to forgive?

Now, suppose someone has done you a wrong, or you think so, and you feel it is quite impossible for you to forgive that person: Then what is to be done?

Go into your room, or some quiet spot, or speak to God in your heart, and say, "Heavenly Father, I can't forgive So-and-so, but do help me to! Do give me a forgiving spirit!"

Very soon, if you wait quietly for a few minutes, you will find softer feelings coming into your heart. You will, perhaps, begin to find excuses for the person who has done you the wrong.

Sometimes we can only reverently pray that beautiful prayer of our dear Lord on the Cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

And if you do, I am sure you will find that His loving Spirit will come into your hearts; and you will find the battle is over, and you have forgiven, and have won the Victory.

"As Christ forgave you, so also do ye."