Did Christ Condemn the Productive Servant and Praise the One Who Buried the Money? Question 11.
- Bradley Sliedrecht
- Feb 26
- 4 min read
Jonathan Shuttlesworth, in his book and YouTube blog 35 Questions for Those Who Hate the Prosperity Gospel, asks:
“When Jesus divided talents of gold to three servants and then came back to get an account, did He rebuke the two who doubled their money?”
He argues that Jesus rewarded productivity and condemned laziness in the Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14-30). Shuttlesworth interprets this as an endorsement of financial prosperity, claiming that ministers who do not encourage giving rob believers of opportunities to receive blessings. He also uses 1 Chronicles 29:2-3 to emphasize giving as part of Kingdom advancement.
While Shuttlesworth raises a legitimate concern about generosity, his interpretation of the parable and use of Scripture require careful scrutiny. This blog will exegetically analyze Matthew 25:14-30 and 1 Chronicles 29:2-3 to provide a balanced, biblically sound understanding.
1. The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
The Narrative
In this parable, a master entrusts three servants with talents (a measure of money) according to their abilities. Upon his return, the master praises the first two servants for doubling the money entrusted to them but condemns the third servant, who buried his talent in the ground.
Key verses include:
Matthew 25:19-21: “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”
Matthew 25:26-30:The third servant is rebuked as “wicked and lazy” for failing to steward what was entrusted to him.
Shuttlesworth’s Claim
Shuttlesworth interprets this parable as a direct endorsement of financial productivity and an implicit critique of those who downplay the importance of material wealth. He suggests that the parable highlights the blessings of financial prosperity for those who faithfully multiply resources.
Contextual and Exegetical Analysis
The Parable’s Primary Focus: The talents in this parable symbolize all that God entrusts to His people, including spiritual gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities—not solely money. The emphasis is on faithful stewardship and accountability, not financial productivity as an end in itself.
Judgment and Responsibility: The parable highlights the importance of using God’s resources wisely to advance His purposes. It warns against laziness and unfaithfulness, which result in judgment.
Eternal Perspective: Jesus’ parable aligns with the broader teaching of Matthew 25, which focuses on readiness for the Kingdom of God. The reward is sharing in the master’s joy, a metaphor for eternal fellowship with God, rather than financial gain.
Balanced Interpretation
The parable teaches stewardship, diligence, and accountability before God. However, reducing its meaning to financial prosperity or suggesting that it endorses wealth as a sign of faithfulness is a misstep.
2. Shuttlesworth’s Use of 1 Chronicles 29:2-3
Shuttlesworth also references 1 Chronicles 29:2-3, where King David speaks of his personal contributions to building the temple:
“With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities.”
Shuttlesworth’s Claim
Shuttlesworth argues that encouraging believers to give toward Kingdom projects reflects the same principle as David’s generosity, suggesting that productive believers are rewarded for their giving.
Contextual Analysis
David’s Context: David’s giving was an act of worship and devotion, reflecting his deep love for God and commitment to His purposes. His wealth, accumulated as Israel’s king, was stewarded for God’s glory, not for personal gain.
Application to Giving: While encouraging generosity aligns with biblical teaching, using 1 Chronicles 29 to manipulate people into giving is a misuse of Scripture. The Holy Spirit, not persuasive rhetoric, should inspire and guide giving (2 Corinthians 9:7).
A Warning Against Manipulation
Shuttlesworth’s selective use of Scripture and a lack of proper interpretation risks manipulating people into giving. Such practices undermine the integrity of biblical teaching. Costi Hinn, in God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel, critiques these tactics as spiritually harmful, warning that they can exploit vulnerable believers and leave them both financially and spiritually bankrupt.
3. A Critical Scrutiny of Shuttlesworth’s Statements
Misleading Assumptions
Shuttlesworth equates the parable’s focus on stewardship with financial productivity, ignoring the broader Kingdom emphasis.
His claim that ministers who discourage giving “rob people of blessings” overlooks the role of the Holy Spirit in leading believers to give.
Distorting the Role of Giving
Dr. Michael Brown, in Playing with Holy Fire, warns against teachings that link financial giving to transactional blessings. While God blesses generosity, giving must flow from a heart of worship, not a desire for material rewards.
Exalting the Preacher over the Holy Spirit
Shuttlesworth’s rhetoric implies that his preaching on prosperity provides the means for people to give and be blessed. This perspective diminishes the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers and risks placing undue authority on the preacher.
4. Biblical Principles of Stewardship and Giving
Stewardship Over Accumulation: The Parable of the Talents teaches faithful stewardship of God’s material or spiritual resources to advance His purposes.
Spirit-Led Generosity: Believers are called to give as led by the Holy Spirit, not through coercion or manipulation (2 Cor. 9:7).
Eternal Rewards: True rewards for faithfulness are spiritual and eternal, not merely financial (Matt. 6:19-21).
Conclusion: Did Christ Condemn the Productive Servant and Praise the One Who Buried the Money?
Shuttlesworth’s interpretation of the Parable of the Talents distorts its primary focus by equating stewardship with financial productivity. While the parable underscores the importance of faithful resource use, its ultimate message is about Kingdom readiness and eternal accountability.
Encouraging generosity is biblically sound, but manipulating Scripture to coerce giving undermines its intent and risks spiritual harm. Proper giving flows from a heart led by the Holy Spirit, grounded in worship and obedience to God’s purposes.
Author: Evg. Bradley Sliedrecht BCL, M.Div. ✝️📖✨
(PhD Student)
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