(Parable of Talents, Matthew 25)
This was what the one-talent servant said:
‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. (Matthew 25:24-27, ESV)
Reason a) The servant did not even try. – “slothful”
Reason b) The servant wasted the opportunity cost of 1 talent. – “wicked”
The lazy servant convinced himself that to return the 1 talent (“Here, you have what is yours”) would be ‘fair and square’. But to his master, that was unacceptable.
(Even if it is 1 talent)
Reason c) The servant did not care about enlarging his master’s estate. In his cowardice, he could not see beyond self-preservation. – “I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.”
Are we able to look beyond self-preservation to find purpose in His work?
Jesus calls us to share in His work and happiness.
“I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:23, ESV)
Deacon Jeremy Leong & Kim Yong
Read this wonderful parable: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A14-30&version=ESV