Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 25:18

"But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord`s money." — Matthew 25:18 (ASV)

“At once” relates to the good servants’ promptness to put the money to work by setting up some business and working with the capital to make it grow. They felt the responsibility of their assignment and went to work without delay. But one servant, unwilling to work or take risks, merely dug a hole and buried the money. This was safer than the deposit systems of the time.