The Parable of the Bags of Gold

Heaven's like a rich man,
Who has a far affair,
Calling his three servants,
To give them gold to care

The first was given five bags,
The second received two,
The third he gave just one bag,
According to their due

Each was given portions,
According to their skill,
Then their master left them,
Off to futures new

The one he'd given five bags,
Made up five bags more,
Using his gold wisely,
And adding to his score

So the one with two bags,
He doubled what he'd had,
For knew how to use them,
Discerning good from bad

But the man with one bag,
Went off and dug a hole,
And hid there what his master,
Had given him to hold

Then, when his trip was over,
The master came to make,
Accounting of his servants,
With whom he'd left his stake

The man he'd given five bags,
Brought ten for him to hold,
Saying, 'Trusting Master,
See how I've made twofold'

The master said, 'Well done you,
My servant won't be poor,
You have been quite faithful,
I'll give you charge of more,'

Then the man with two bags,
Also came to him,
'Master what you gave me,'
'I've doubled and brought in'

His master said: 'Good servant,
Well done, you clever one,
You have been quite faithful,
I'll add onto your sum'

Then the one with one bag,
Said 'Master, you are known,
For being such a hard man,
Who reaps what he's not grown

So I sat and wondered,
Afraid of what you'd do,
I hid the gold you gave me,
To keep it safe for you

The master raged and bellowed:
'You are a lazy wretch,
Yes, you know I gather,'
In fields which I've not set'

'So you should have banked it,
Then when I turned up,
I would have had some interest,
You wicked, useless pup!'

'Take the bag of gold now,
Give it to him with ten,
For he who has a great store,
Will get much more again'

'But those who haven't any,
Even what they have,
Will be taken off them,
Let them feel my wrath'

'Throw him into darkness,
Where sobs and teeth gnash loud,
He to me is worthless,
Give him to the crowd.'

Verse form of Matthew 25:14-16, 18-30

---