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7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
The “right use of knowledge” is, first to “lay it up” in a storehouse (Chapter 10:14); then out of the store-house to disperse it. The sower scatters the seed in the furrow, and calculates upon a proportionate harvest. (2 Corinthians 9:6.) Thus the lips of the wise disperse the precious seed, “giving a portion to seven, and also to eight;” not discouraged by trifling difficulties, but “sowing morning and evening,” and committing the result to God. (Ecclesiastes 11:2, 4, 6.) Our Lord thus dispersed the heavenly knowledge of his gospel. (Matthew 4:23; 9:35.) He commanded his Apostles to scatter the seed through the vast field of the world. (Matthew 28:19, 20.) The persecution of the Church was overruled for this great end. (Acts 8:4.) The Reformers widely dispersed their treasures both by preaching and writing, and rich indeed was the fruit. Do we remember, that our gifts and talents are the riches of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:7. 1 Peter 4:10); that, like our father Abraham, we are blessed, not for our own sakes, but to “be a blessing”? (Genesis 12:2.) And does not conscience speak of the waste of many, even important, opportunities of intercourse with our fellow-sinners or fellow-Christians, when not an atom of knowledge has been dispersed? We contend for no eccentric irregularity, no passing of our proper boundary, no entrenchment upon paramount obligations. But be careful, lest in quenching unnatural fire, we inadvertently quench some genuine spark of holy flame. Be mindful of small opportunities. The careful cultivation of the smallest field ensures an abundant harvest. The acceptance is not to the number, but to the improvement of the talents; not only “where much has been given;” but where we “have been faithful in a few things.” (Matthew 25:21.)
The sin of the wicked is not always, that they “pour out foolishness” (Verse 2); but that they do not so. They neglect to disperse. If they do not abuse their talent, they omit to improve it. If not blots, they are blanks in the Church. If they do no harm, they do nothing. (Matthew 25:25-28.) Indeed, they can disperse nothing from their empty storehouse. They can only trade with the trash of the world, not with the commerce of substantial knowledge — The end of both is according to their works — “Unto every one that hath (actively improves) shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not (uses not) shall be taken away, even that which he hath.” (Matthew 25:29.)
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