Theme: Preserving vs. promoting the gospel

Exegetical note
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 most likely referrent here is to those who would be preservers of the Gospel rather than promoters of it.

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