What About That Third Servant?

Saturday of 21st Week in Course

So we’ve all probably read or heard sermons on this parable from Matthew’s Gospel, and typically–to cut to the conclusion–we are told that Christ has given each of us a measure of talent or gifts, and we’d better use them properly. If we do, we get rewarded; if we don’t. . .well it does seem kind of extreme to get–what?–sent to hell? So let’s take a look at the situation. And remember that in every parable there is an underlying natural story, perhaps one that Jesus’s hearers would recognize, and an application that the Church uses to explain supernatural realities.

What did the poor third servant do that merited being cast away? The first two had put the master’s money at risk with the possibility of reaping a reward. Typically in the first century this means buying a cargo, shipping it to a buyer, and then reaping the profit. There were risks–shipwreck, robbery, fire–we all know about risk. The servants analyzed the risk and possible reward and appear to have invested wisely, because they doubled their money. But the third servant, identified by the boss as “wicked and slothful,” put the money at risk with no possibility of reward. He put it in a hole in the ground and covered it. Under his mattress would have been a better choice, because at least it would have been guarded by his person. Note that the master did not think very much of the servant, because he gave him the least amount of all three. So he expected at the minimum that it would be kept as safe as possible in the bank. But the stupid, lazy servant number three didn’t even meet minimum expectations, and then tried to defend himself by calling the master “hard” and accusing him of cheating and stealing to get his riches. Not a great way to make friends and influence people. Of course he was thrown out, and gets the biblical refrain of weeping and grinding teeth.

Life on this earth is hard, and acting as a Christian sometimes makes it even more demanding. To achieve our end–eternal union with the Trinity–it is very important to make God’s goals our own, to cultivate a prayer life in a community of faith. Our time and talents must be invested as God wills, and then our faith-journey will end in the rewards of heaven. We must always, with Paul, recognize our weakness and treasure our humble position, so that any boasting we might do will be boasting of the call and mercy of Christ. Thus we wait for the Lord, our hope and shield, and He will not disappoint us.