THE UNPROFITABLE SERVANT:
Matthew 25:14-19 NIV
[14] “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. [15] To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. [16] The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. [17] So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. [18] But the man who had received one bag went off, 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.
[24] “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. [25] So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ [26] “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? [27] Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. [28] “ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags.
Every Believer must bear fruit because fruit bearing is evidence that we are children of God, walking in Christ, and are living in obedience to His commandments (John 15:16 & Mark 16:15-20). Fruit bearing is also an evidence of the kind of persons we are (Matthew 7:15-20 & 12:33-35).
An unprofitable servant is a lazy person who has decided that they will not make profit for their Master. They only work for themselves and for what they can get from others. No matter how much you invest in them, you will end up with nothing because they consider you as wicked. Unprofitable servants are not faithful and loyal.
This man was unprofitable not because he tried and failed, but because he refused to try. He went and hid his Master’s bag of gold! Unprofitable servants don’t develop and put what they have to use. They hide their skills and abilities because they don’t want to be called upon to help. They pretend they don’t have what it takes to get anything done. As a result, what they have is taken from them and given to more profitable servants and they are treated as the unbelievers they truly are!
Matthew 25:28-30 NIV
[28] “ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. [29] For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. [30] And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Those who are wise will do all it takes to bear fruit for the glory of God.