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I. THE REASON OF HIS CONDUCT.

1. He may have believed he could do nothing worth accomplishing with one talent.

2. He may have been envious of others.

3. Dissatisfaction with the distribution of the talents may have caused his inactivity.

4. Want of interest in his master's success.

5. He may have neglected his master's work for his own.

II. WHETHER ANY OF THESE MOTIVES WILL JUSTIFY HIM.

1. Does dissatisfaction with God's government of the world constitute a just excuse for inactivity? Yes; if it is unjust. I have a right to resent injustice. Is God's government unjust. Faith says "No." Vain excuse.

(1)  Because God had a right to do what He would with His own.

(2)  Because the responsibility was proportioned to the gift.

2. Will his belief that no very great thing could be accomplished with one talent justify him.

(1)  You misunderstand God if you think He takes no account of little things.

(2)  He not only notices but prizes little things. The two mites.

(3)  One-talented men are the true workers of the world.

(4)  It is the multitude of them that builds up the mighty result.

3. But is the servant justified in supposing that his own interests must first be considered before his master's? Certainly there are many who are now pleading this: "I will attend to God's matters one day — my own absorb my attention now." No justification in this:

(1)  Because God commands you to study His interests first.

(2)  Because, you being merely His steward, this is just.

(3)  Because, you being the creature of His hands and His servant, it is doubly just.

(4)  Because this is the true way to advance your own interests. (See Trench on Parables, p. 281, for an apt illustration.)

III. CONCLUSION. Have any of you buried talents? Dig them up and begin this glorious career of working.

(The Southern Pulpit.)

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KJV: For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

WEB: "For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them.