Gospel Notes
Exactly what Jesus' original intent was for this parable is uncertain, but the fearful, "protectionist" mentality of the third servant is universal and timeless: he timidly decides to protect what he has rather than to develop it, and because of his subsequent actions he is pronounced "wicked and lazy." This story could be applied to a myriad of cases, but its mostly likely referent here is to those who would be preservers of the gospel rather than promoters …
CSS Publishing Company, CONTEMPORARY LECTIONARY PRAYERS, by Dennis Koch