"Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." --- Matthew 25:30.
Look at this man to whom his lord had given one talent; he could not bear the thought of using his talent according to the will of Him from whom he had it, and therefore choose to make himself happier in a way of his own. "Lord," said he, "I know thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast no strewed," etc. But his Lord having convicted him out of his own mouth, dispatched him with this sentence, - "Cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness," etc.
Here you see how happy this man made himself by not acting according to his own account, a happiness of murmuring and discontent: "I knew thee," says he, "that thou art an hard man:" it was a happiness of fears and apprehensions; "I was," says he, "afraid:" it was a happiness of vain labours and fruitless travels; "I went," said he, "and hid thy talent;" - and after having been awhile the sport of foolish passions, tormenting fears, and fruitless labours, he is rewarded with darkness, eternal weeping, and gnashing of teeth.
Look at the man with his five talents: "Lord thou gavest unto me five talents; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more," etc. Here you see a man wholly intent on improving his talents; he hath no uneasy passions, murmurings, vain fears, and fruitless labours, like the other; but his work prospers in his hand; his happiness increases upon him, the blessing of five becomes the blessing of ten talents; and he is received with a "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
With careful hand may I employ
The talents God has given;
Yet not my profit, but my faith,
Must bring my soul to heaven.