Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 19:20

"And another came, saying, Lord, behold, [here is] thy pound, which I kept laid up in a napkin:" — Luke 19:20 (ASV)

A napkin. A towel. He means by it that he had not wasted it nor thrown it aside carelessly, but had been very careful of it, so much so as to take the trouble to tie it up in a towel and put it in a safe place, as if he had been very faithful to his trust. So many men employ their talents, their learning, their property, and their influence. They have them; they keep them; but they never use them in the service of the Lord Jesus. And, in regard to their influence on the church or the world, it would be the same if God had never conferred on them these talents.