Author: Robert

The Unmerciful Servant

The kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. When he began, a man was brought to him who owed him a lot of money. Since he had no way of paying it back, the king ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.' Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, 'Pay back what you owe.' Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to the King and reported what happened. His master called him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in anger the king handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back all the money. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart."