Seven Deadly Sins: Sloth Series

In marked contrast to the commendation given the first two servants, this servant was referred to as “wicked”. Remember his master seems to have been ready to acknowledge the least service done to him and never looked for results beyond the man’s ability and opportunities. However, he was slothful and made no effort to improve the one talent entrusted to him, his master referred to him as wicked. Out of his own mouth does he judges the servant by repeating the words his servant said to him. He also tells him how he should have gone about and took some type of action to increase the talent. Skip down to the 30th verse. In this verse the master decides the punishment.

The parable merges from parable into the real. The matter represented bursts through the veil under which it was delivered and stands forth plainly. The command is issued to the ministers of the Lord’s vengeance, whether earthly or angelic. The slave was truly unprofitable, as he advanced neither his master’s interest nor his own, which were bound up with one another. While the faithful servants enter into the joy of the Lord, the slothful servant is rejected from His presence, expelled from the kingdom of heaven, banished. Why? Not because of great ill doing, crime, offense against the common laws of God and man, but for neglect, idleness, omission of duty. For me, this is a very fearful thought. Men endeavor to screen themselves from blame by minimizing their talents, ability, opportunities and this parable unveils the flimsiness of this pretence. It shows that all have responsibilities and are answerable for the use they make of the graces and faculties, be they great or small, which they possess. Spiritual laziness is as serious a sin as active wickedness and meets similar punishment.

I know some of you may struggle with what I am telling you, but go back and re-read it for yourself. In this parable, all three men were “servants” to the same master. They all enjoyed the same benefits of being a servant. However, one lost his benefits because he was lazy with what was entrusted to him. Are you starting to see where this is going? I will close this one out by just asking you to read Matthew 25:14-30 and really think about what this parable is saying to you. Which servant are you, one of the two who used their talents working for their master or the one who did nothing with what was entrusted to him? May God bless and keep you as you truly consider the answer to this question.

(One of the primary resources for this message was the “White Stone Journal” website. I used and expanded on several quotes from their articles. To them I give my thanks.)