When it comes to doing good, we must be cautious to avoid doing things that appear to be good but are not truly in harmony with God’s will (cf. Rom. 10:2).
Yet, we cannot use caution for avoiding evil as an excuse for doing nothing. In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus spoke a parable of three men entrusted by their master with talents.
The first was given five talents, and used them to gain five more. The second was given two talents, and likewise gained two more. The third was given one talent, and buried the talent in the ground out of fear.
When the master returned, he commended the five-talent man and the two-talent man, but reprimanded the one-talent man, calling him a “wicked and slothful servant” (Matt. 25:26).
Why was the one-talent man wicked and slothful? We do not read about him stealing from his lord or being dishonest. Rather, it was what he did NOT do that was sinful. The one-talent man had the ability and opportunity to do good, but neglected his responsibility to do good. We all have abilities and opportunities our Lord has given us to do good. May we not be as the one-talent man and be condemned as wicked for “burying our talents.”
– Michael Hickox