Overcoming Obstacles (7/20/2025)

“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’     “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest’…” (Matthew 25:24-26).

In the Parable of the Talents, the Lord is teaching some life lessons that cover a wide range of experiences, including diligence, determination, and trust. The third investor of the three, described in this passage, fails in each one of these areas. 

By allowing fear and uncertainty to take control of him, he could not muster up the courage to make any good use of the money he was given.  The Lord condemns him, not because he did not make as much money as his friends, but because he did nothing. In fact, the man is called “wicked and lazy.”

The most disappointing aspect of this situation is that he created his own mental obstacle that prevented his being successful, mimicking what happens in the lives of many individuals in every generation.

The message for us is that we need to perform our physical and spiritual tasks with vigor and trust, realizing our job is to “do” and the Lord will give the increase as it is in accordance with His will. Overcoming our obstacles will put us in a good position with our Heavenly Father.