The Unfaithful Servant

He was going on a journey.

He called his servants and entrusted them with his property.

To one he gave five talents. To one he gave two. To one he gave one.

Each according to his ability.

Then he went away.

The man with five went and traded and made five more.

The man with two did the same and made two more.

The man with one went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

After a long time the master returned.

He settled accounts.

The first two were commended identically.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

You have been faithful over a little. I will set you over much.

Enter into the joy of your master.

Then the man with one talent came.

He said: Master, I knew you to be a hard man.

Reaping where you did not sow.

Gathering where you scattered no seed.

So I was afraid and I went and hid your talent in the ground.

Here, you have what is yours.

The master said: You wicked and slothful servant.

You knew that I reap where I have not sowed.

Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers.

At my coming I would have received what was my own with interest.

Take the talent from him.

Give it to the one who has ten.

For to everyone who has, more will be given.

From the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness.

He had not spent what he was given.

He had not squandered it.

He had preserved it perfectly and returned it intact.

His defense was fear.

His strategy was burial.

And it was counted as the same as having nothing.

He returned exactly what he received.

That was the failure.

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