Making a Case
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew
thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown,
and gathering where thou hast not strawed.
Matthew 25:24
Read Matthew 25:19-27
The third servant had received only one talent. It is very remarkable how
the Lord Jesus records the way he described his lord. While the report of the
first two servants was rather brief and to the point, the account of the third
is full of arguments to support the reason why he dealt with the goods entrusted
to him in the way he did. When we analyze his reasoning it is clear
that he made excuses for his failures and was actually self-righteous. Who,
in his estimation, was guilty? Surely, not he!
Actually, his lord must be reckoned as the guilty one. For, he said the master
was a hard man who reaped where he had not sown. The servant really had
no love for his master, therefore he did not fulfill his obligations in performing
his work. He was only interested in defending himself. He should have
put his talent in the bank in order to have gained at least some interest. As
a result, the one talent which he had was taken away from him and given to
the servant who had ten.
The responsibility which this unfaithful servant was unwilling to accept
would no longer be entrusted to him. The divine rule in the kingdom of
heaven would also apply here: For unto every one that hath shall be given,
and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away
even that which he hath (Matt. 25:29).
Thought: Do you recognize yourself in the third servant?
Psalter 415: 2,4 (based on Psalm 25)
Unto me, O Lord Jehovah, Show Thy ways and teach Thou me;
So that, by Thy Spirit guided, Clearly I Thy paths may see.
In Thy truth wilt Thou me guide, Teach me, God of my salvation;
All the day for Thee I bide, Lord, with eager expectation.
Good and upright is Jehovah In His dealings evermore.
Sinners are by Him instructed In the way untrod before.
He will ever guide the meek In His judgments true and holy;
Teach His ways to those who seek With a contrite heart and lowly.
