Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 25:16-18

"Straightway he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and made other five talents. In like manner he also that [received] the two gained other two. But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord`s money." — Matthew 25:16-18 (ASV)

We are grieved to know that there are people with five talents, and others with two talents, who do as this man did. However, the case is put this way to reach us all. Since most people have only one talent, they are most often found saying, "I have so little ability; I will not do anything. If I had five talents, I might become distinguished; if I had two, I might be very useful; but with one, I need not attempt anything."

"I am a private person—a mother, quite obscure, with my little family around me—what can I do?" It is very often a strong temptation from Satan to those who have only one talent, to make them think that they may hide that one with impunity. And then, you see, the argument cuts the other way. If it is wrong to hide one talent, it is much more wrong to hide two, and far worse to dig in the earth and bury five.

It is very significant that our Savior said that he that had received one talent went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. Many who have five talents or two have not traded with the same, and so gained other five or other two, but Jesus knew that it was the servant with one talent who was most exposed to the temptation to do nothing because he could only do a little.

There are perils connected with the possession of five talents or two, but the man who has only one talent is in equal, if not greater, danger. Let us all remember that, as it is a sin to hide one talent in the earth, it is a greater sin to hide two or five talents. It was his lord’s money that the slothful servant hid. It would have been wrong to bury what belonged to himself, but he was doubly blameworthy in hiding that which had been entrusted to him by his lord, instead of trading with it so as to increase it. Are any of us sinning in this way against our Savior?