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This readiness stands in watchfulness and fidelity.

I. WATCHFULNESS.

1. Its nature.

2. Its ground. The servant's relation of dependence toward his Lord.

3. The motive to it. The glorious reward.

4. The difficulty of it. The long delay.

5. Its necessity. The uncertainty of the time.

II. FIDELITY.

1. Motives to it.

(1)  The confidence reposed in him by the Lord;

(2)  who intrusts to him a large sphere of operation;

(3)  in which much good may be done.

2. Its nature.

(1)  That is, deals justly.

(2)  And in proper season.

3. Its consequences.

(1)  The internal joy of a good conscience.

(2)  The Lord's approval and recompense.

4. Exhortation to fidelity from the mournful consequences of the opposite.

1. Source of faithlessness. Security and unbelief.

2. Nature of faithlessness.

(1)  Abuse of power.

(2)  Ill use of means entrusted to it.

3. Mournful consequences of faithlessness.

(1)  He finds himself surprised in his security.

(2)  He is severely punished.

(3)  And the punishment, whether more lenient or more severe, is perfectly just.

(F. G. Lisco.)

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KJV: Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

WEB: "Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning.