What does Matthew 25:27 mean?

The third servant's story (Matthew 25:24–25) does not add up in the master's eyes. His other two servants doubled his investment by working hard in the business of trading (Matthew 25:20–23). This servant buried the seed money the master gave him, guaranteeing it could not grow (Matthew 25:18). The servant claimed he was afraid of losing the money since he knew the master to be such a hard man.

Here, the master continues to poke holes in that story. If he really was such a hard man, the servant should have been fearful enough to put the money in a bank where it could earn some interest. The servant can't claim he was sincerely worried about what would happen with the money; his servant's inaction came from laziness and sin, not respect or even fear. He didn't even do the minimum amount needed to guarantee a bit of return on the master's investment. In truth, he also failed to submit to the master as a servant or slave.

This exchange is important in understanding the meaning of this parable. The point is not about money. Jesus is showing His followers what He expects of them while He is away, and they are waiting for His return. He expects them to take whatever they are given and to use it on His behalf until He returns. He expects a productive and enthusiastic participation in working for the kingdom—a kingdom that will come after Jesus' return ends the world as we know it.

The third servant completely rejected the instructions of the master. In that sense, he's no "servant" at all, just a pretender. In the same sense, this parable implies that those who blatantly reject God's will for their lives are in jeopardy of being "cast out" as false believers (Matthew 25:30).