Buried Talent – The Warning of the Wicked Servant

The parable of the talents is one most Christians are familiar with, and one I’ve referenced here before. But I want to return to it because it holds such relevance regarding the Majesty Project and our ministry. Although the biblical word talent refers to the monetary currency of the time, I find the word particularly appropriate when considered in this context.

The full parable can be found in Matthew 25:14–30, but I am going to focus on verses 24–30. Leading up to this passage, Jesus describes the master’s reactions to the servants’ stewardship of their talents. To the servant entrusted with five talents, who then doubled them, the master gave a glowing commendation. The same commendation awaited the second servant, who doubled his two talents into four.

And then we arrive at the servant who buried his single talent.

“Now the one who had received the one talent also came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed. And I was afraid, so I went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you still have what is yours.’” — Matthew 25:24–25, italics mine.

This servant has taken a fascinating stance, one that I’m afraid many Christians take today: the fear of God-given talent. Notice, he didn’t lose the talent or even spend it. He buried it.

Why does this matter? The talent was safe, secure, and in no danger of being stolen or destroyed. One might even argue that concealing the talent was a wise decision. In the end, he returned it safely to his master.

He is portraying an interesting mindset: that if we carefully tiptoe through life with our righteousness, our reputation, and our spiritual gifts intact, then surely that is enough. Who needs to share these things, as long as God gets back what He gave us, right?

Wrong.

“But his master answered and said to him, ‘You worthless, lazy servant! Did you know that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter seed? Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore, take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has ten talents.’ For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. And throw the worthless servant into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” — Matthew 25:26–30, italics mine.

These seem like harsh words toward a servant who appears to have done what he thought best. He didn’t lose or frivolously spend the talent; he simply hid it until he could safely return it. But the key to the master’s disappointment lies in his expectation: he should have received his money back (the servant’s soul) with interest (the souls of those who observed the servant’s talent and were won over by it).

In this parable, it is clear that the master gives us these talents with the explicit intention that we share them with those around us. Why? Because when done faithfully, the investment was always doubled. Can you imagine watching God double the harvest of souls through the faithful use of your talent? What if you viewed your abilities as an evangelistic opportunity to win hearts for heaven?

With this in mind, does it change your perspective on the questionable servant’s “wisdom” in burying his talent? Or was it truly a wicked, lazy decision?

When we decide not to share our God-given gifts, we are refusing to participate in the Master’s grand plan. Who knows? Maybe that art piece you felt called to draw and share with your church would have impacted someone so deeply that it pulled them back onto the straight and narrow path. But out of “fear” (of pride, failure, embarrassment, etc.) you chose not to share it.

Now understand, of course, that God is all-powerful and does not require your talent to guide others to Him. But the Bible clearly states that it helps. A perfect example is found in Matthew 5:13–16:

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” — Italics mine.

This passage explicitly says that your light must shine before people. I can hear the conservative Christian’s subconscious screaming, Wait a minute! Isn’t that prideful? We aren’t meant to be seen!

This brings us to an excellent question: what is pride? Is it prideful to be seen? No, not automatically. The Bible even states that we can boast, as long as it is about Christ that we are boasting:

“…Just as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” — 1 Corinthians 1:31

Look again at the final part of Matthew 5:16. When a talent is used well, what is the result? They see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. This is a pivotal distinction. We are called to find joy in our own talents just as much as in another person’s, especially when our talents are pointing others to Christ. Beyond that, the Bible tells us that it is wicked and lazy to hide those talents.

So what does this mean for Christian artists and creatives? It means that you should search your heart, ask God to root out any hint of fear that may be there, and then let your light shine before people so they will see Christ through you.

If this is something you feel called to do, reach out to us. Majesty Project exists to help Christians spread their creativity for the glory of God. We look forward to joining you in that mission.