Passivity

The parables of Jesus often disturb our equilibrium, and stretch the boundaries of our common perceptions. Such is the parable in Matthew 25:14-30. A master goes away on a long journey and entrusts his property to three servants. To one he gives five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to their ability. The first two servants begin to work at once, multiplying what they’ve been given. The third servant digs a hole in the ground and hides his master’s money.

The master is Jesus, and the servants are professing believers.

After a long time, the master returns and settles accounts. The first two servants have doubled their master’s investment, proving themselves faithful in his absence. The master praises the two servants, gives them additional responsibilities, and invites them to come and share his joy. It’s tempting to think this parable is about money—but it’s not.

The emphasis of the parable is on the third servant. When confronted about his stewardship of the one talent that he hid in the ground, he blames the master and gives excuses. “Master, I knew you to be a hard man…so I was afraid, and I hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”

The master responds, “You wicked, lazy servant…you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest.”

Does the master’s reaction seem a little harsh? The servant didn’t steal the money, or lie about the money, or squander it on something immoral. He protected the money. Sure, he could have done more, but at least he didn’t misuse the money. Again, the parable is not about the money.

What crime has he committed that makes Jesus reject him?

The first two servants are praised for being actively engaged in the master’s business. In contrast to the first two, the third servant is passive. He does one thing at the beginning (hides the money), and then makes no effort at all to serve his master for a very long time—years—possibly a lifetime.

The Greek lexicon gives this definition of the word lazy, “idle, shrinking from or hesitating to engage in something worthwhile.” The master calls the servant’s idleness, wicked.

The master then pronounces a severe judgment, “Throw that worthless servant outside into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Seven times in the gospels Jesus mentions the place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12; 13:42; 13:50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28). This place refers to eternal Hell.

I shudder at this extreme punishment for what seems a lesser offense than what was committed by the prodigal son, or the apostle Paul, or Samson’s dereliction of duty. The third servant is being cast out of his master’s presence into hell. What conclusions can we make?

• Passivity over a lifetime indicates an unregenerate heart, someone who doesn’t truly know Christ.
• Passivity indicates he doesn’t love his master, finds no joy in serving him, and isn’t motivated to take risks for him. These also indicate the condition of his heart.
• He thinks he’s done the minimum required, but he’s deceived—there is no minimum.
• When confronted by the master, he doesn’t repent, but makes excuses.
• He isn’t faithful in serving Christ, because he is faith-less—he has no faith.

Now the application: How will Jesus evaluate your life? And mine? And what about our friends and loved ones who fit the description of the third servant? If we claim to love the Lord, but live a lifetime of passivity in serving him, our actions negate our words, and expose our heart.

Once again this points out the importance of not just reading God’s Word, but going deep, asking questions, measuring our life against the Scriptures. Unfortunately, many in the category of the third servant are also passive in their Bible study.

I would love to get your insights and feedback on this sobering parable.