The idea of loaning money to another Hebrew was regulated under Mosaic law. However, it was not strictly observed. In some cases, interest could be as high as 50%. In other cases, interest was deducted from the requested loan immediately before being dispensed. We are going to pay particular attention in today’s text to the wicked and slothful servant. He was given one talent with the expectation to bring profit back to the master which he did not do. He suffer the consequences and offers us lessons today.
The first thing we notice in this parable is that the servant tried to blame the master for his shortcomings. He said he did not make the money grow for fear it would not and that would be difficult for him in the eyes of the master. He replied to him, “I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not shown, gathering where you have not strewn. And I was afraid.” His excuse is that the master was so demanding it brought fear to the servant. That may seem like a lame excuse to us since the other two servants prospered well for their master.
This parable has a hidden modern message. How often do we blame God for things that are not his fault! People say, “If God is a good God, then why does he allow wars and famine and disease to exist on the earth?” This is an attack on the integrity of the Almighty. There is no element of faith or dedication to the Lord. Some people say they’re not going to go to church anymore because God did answer their prayer. Some people say God caused the early death of a loved one and that is not loving God. We have the discretion out of common sense that things happen in the world even to the best of us.
This wicked servant could rightfully be called a lazy servant also. He received the money from the master and did nothing with it. He may have made excuses but there are no excuses that hold up under scrutiny when the servant had the ability to do something with the talent and did not. There are people who are literally talented in so many ways such as music and teaching who do not exercise that talent for the Lord and the benefit of others. To make an excuse to God and the church says that I want all the benefits without any cost.
The master declared that the servant had full opportunity to put the money to the exchangers which would’ve drawn usury or interest. The servant had no investment in his Lord. He didn’t care if the master prospered or not. Jesus reminded us that the harvest is ripe and we should pray that God would send reapers. God is very involved in our lives expecting also we need to be involved in his plans.
The servant made a false assumption that he could make any excuse to the master, and it would be sufficient to get him out from under blame. He deluded himself that he would not be held accountable. Jesus was very matter-of-fact when he said that even believers will be held accountable to him for the evangelistic work not done. We cannot be pew warmers. We have a significant obligation to serve God in whatever opportunities he presents to us. There is always accountability in every part of life. Too many people think they can go through life without facing any consequences to God. To our Heavenly Father, any person who professes to be a believer but does not obey him is an unprofitable servant. We must keep in mind that this wicked servant had as much opportunity to demonstrate his dedication to the master as the other two servants. In whatever way we are dedicated to the work of the Lord he has blessings available. (Luke 6: 38)
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