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Verses 20-21

Another servant reported that he had not earned anything with the master’s deposit. Keeping money in a scarf (Gr. soudarion) was a common practice in Jesus’ day, but it was unsafe and unproductive. [Note: Jeremias, The Parables . . ., p. 61.] This person represents someone who does nothing of eternal value with his life. The servant explained that his fear of the master was responsible for his lack of fruit (cf. Matthew 25:25). It was appropriate for him to fear the master since He would eventually bring His servants to account, but the servant’s action in view of his fear of the master was improper. He should have gotten busy and served the master since he feared him. His assessment of the master was correct, but it did not have the proper effect on him.

God seeks a disproportionately high return on His investments, so the servant’s conservatism was sinful. He appears to have felt that he would receive no reward for his work for the master if he ever returned. He should have taken some risks. Faithful stewardship involves taking calculated risks. [Note: See Helmut Thielicke, The Waiting Father, pp. 143-45.] Taking up what one had not laid down and reaping what one had not sown (Luke 19:21) were evidently proverbial expressions similar to getting blood out of a stone. [Note: Morris, p. 275.] They described a strict, exacting person.

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