Three Servants – Three Rewards
TRANSLATION
(14) “Again it will be like a man going on a journey who called his servants (together) and entrusted his assets to them. (15) To one he gave five sacks of gold, to another two, to another one, each according to his ability. He then departed on his journey. (16) Right away the one who had received five sacks of gold left, put his money to work, and gained five more. (17) Likewise, the one who had received two sacks gained two more. (18) But the one who had received one sack went out, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
(19) “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. (20) The one who had received five sacks came and brought with him five more sacks saying, ‘Sir, you gave me five sacks. Look, I have gained five more.’ (21) His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s joy!’ (22) And the one who had received two sacks came and said, ‘Master, you gave me two sacks. Look, I have gained two more.’ (23) His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s joy.’
(24) “Then the one who had received one sack came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you had not sown and gathering where you had not scattered (seed). (25) So I was afraid, went out, and hid your gold in the ground. Look, here is what belongs to you.’ (26) But his master said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! If you knew that I reaped where I had not sown and gathered where I had not scattered (seed), (27) you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, and, on my return, I would at least have received my money back with interest. (28) Therefore, take the sack of gold from him and give it to the one who has the ten sacks, for to everyone who has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. But from the one who does not have, even that which he has shall be taken away. (3) And throw that worthless servant into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
OBSERVATIONS
In this parable of the master entrusting portions of his wealth to three servants, we find several important phrases and words repeated for emphasis: “man” (four times in vss. 14, 16, 18, & 20), “servant(s)” (six times in vss. 14, 19, 21, 23, 26, & 30), “master” (nine times in vss. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, & 25), “sack(s)” (thirteen times in vss. 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, & 28) and nine times modified by “of gold,” and “money” (vss. 18 & 20). Among the repeated phrases were “gained…more” (vss. 16 & 17) and “you entrusted me…I have gained” (vss. 20 & 22). One sentence was repeated twice: “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (vss. 21 & 23).
OUTLINE
I. A master entrusted large portions of his wealth to three servants while he was away. (14-18)
II. Two of his servants did what the master had instructed them to do while one did not. (19-25)
III. The master rewarded two for their obedience while punishing the one who failed to obey. (26-30)
IDEA STATEMENT
Faithfulness in investing that which the Lord has entrusted to us in this life will determine our capacity to serve him in the future.
APPLICATION
On more than one occasion Jesus told his disciples a parable in which an estate owner, going on a journey of indeterminate length, entrusted his servants with a significant portion of his wealth while he was absent. When he returned, he required an accounting. In this parable, three servants were entrusted with sacks of gold to see how they would invest his resources while he was absent. The two who were entrusted with larger amounts both invested the money so that it had doubled before the master returned. The servant entrusted with the least amount buried what he had been given.
When the master returned and demanded an accounting, the third servant had only the initial investment to give back. Worse than that, he accepted no responsibility for his inaction but rather blamed this on his fear of the master whom he accused of being a hard man who cut corners and cheated others. Behind this façade lay the probable motive for his lack of initiative. This lazy, wicked servant was likely hoping that his master would never return so that the sack of gold which he had buried would be his to keep. In case the master did return, he could always hand it over without any loss. Such faithless behavior merited the punishment he received. The point of Jesus’ parable: being ready for the Lord’s return not only means that we remain alert, ready for his appearance at any time, but also that we invest ourselves in serving him faithfully so that we have something to show for our efforts when he shows up and requires an accounting.