Matthew 25:26 — Meaning and Application

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, {there} thou hast {that is} thine.

His lord answered and said unto him, {Thou} wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and {then} at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

Take therefore the talent from him, and give {it} unto him which hath ten talents.