The Sins of Omission Are No Less Serious Than the Sins of Commission

The last two days we looked at the similarities of the talents and the minas. Today we are looking at another number of parallels. In both these parables alike, failure to make active use of the talent or mina committed to each servant is described by the very strong word wicked. In each case the lord commences his judgement of the unfaithful servant by the phrase “you wicked servant.”

From this we learn that, by God’s standards, wickedness consists not only in actively doing that which is bad, but just as much in the failure to do good when it lies within our power to do it.

“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)

In other words, the sins of omission are no less serious than the sins of commission.

The same thought is contained in Malachi’s prophetic revelation of God’s judgement.

“Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.” (Mal. 3:18)

Here we find a clear and sharp distinction made by God between the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are defined as those who serve God; the wicked as those who do not serve God. Once again the lesson is plain: not to serve God is in itself wickedness.

It was this wickedness that led to the condemnation and rejection of the unfaithful servant in each of the two parables we have studied. In neither of these parables did the rejected servant do anything evil; in each case the ground of his rejection was merely that he failed to do the good which it was in his power to do. In both these parables Christ indicates that this same principle of judgement will be applied to all those who claim to be His followers and servants.