"_But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money._" He lost no time either, his mind was made up at once, he would take no trouble, make no effort, would hide his Master's talent and forget all about it; he wanted no responsibility, he could not be troubled with "trading." His Master could not expect much from him, he argued, because he had entrusted so little to him, he knew he was not capable of doing _much_, but he would do nothing at all. He did not waste or spoil his Master's goods, his sin was one of _omission_--you did it _not_ to Me. He dug in the earth instead of laying up treasure in Heaven. POINT III. THE RECKONING. "_After a long time the Lord of those servants came and reckoned with them._" Each servant must come up before Him to give an account and to be judged according to his works. "_Lord, Thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above._" "_Lord, Thou deliveredst two talents to me, behold I have gained other two._" The Lord gives exactly the same answer, the same reward to each, showing clearly that what counts in the reckoning is not the _number_ of good works but the spirit and intention and motive with which they are done, be they many or few. "_Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things._" The reward is not given to the most capable, nor to those who have the most or the greatest talents, but to those who have been _faithful_ over the few things entrusted to them. They have traded with their talents for God's glory and for the salvation of their own souls. They have realized that each thing entrusted to them was a "good," whether it was sickness or health, poverty or riches, prosperity or adversity, and they have said about each: This belongs to the Master, how can I best use it for Him? Now they find that the merit of each action done, each suffering borne for Him, has been carefully stored up. "_Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord._" It is His joy, His interest, His glory that the faithful servant has studied on earth, now he shall share them for ever.