Matthew 25:19-23 New International Version (NIV)
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Wed. October 7 The first two servants in this parable are “entrusted” with their master’s property and go out “at once” to risk it all in trade. They immediately put it to use. But the third servant dug a hole and buried his master’s property. In other words, he did not want to “risk” losing his master’s money. He was afraid of his master. So often we are afraid to “go out at once” and just start giving away forgiveness because we do not think it will “work.” We think that free forgiveness is too risky of an investment. People might start abusing us or take advantage of us. In fact, this is exactly what happened to our “master”! Jesus came freely offering forgiveness, grace and mercy and it got him killed! Was Jesus a pushover? A doormat? In his final breath on the cross he still said, “Father forgive them.” Jesus was willing to risk everything for you!