Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 25:26-27

"But his lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter; thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own with interest." — Matthew 25:26-27 (ASV)

His lord took the wicked and slothful servant on his own ground and condemned him out of his own mouth. The master did not mean to admit that he was such a person as he had been called by the “malicious and lazy slave,” as the original might be literally rendered, but supposing the servant’s words had been true, what ought he to have done? If he was afraid to trade with his lord’s talent on his own responsibility, he might have taken it to the bankers, who would at least have kept it secure and added interest to it while it was deposited with them.

If we cannot trade directly and personally on our Lord’s account, if we do not have the skill or the tact to manage a society or an enterprise for Him, we may at least contribute to what others are doing and join our capital to theirs, so that, by some means, our Master may have the interest to which He is entitled. His talent must not be buried in the earth, but must be invested wherever it will bring to Him the best return at His coming.

His lord took him on his own ground, and condemned him out of his own mouth.