So I grew afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.”​—Matt. 25:24, 25.

His false reasoning was that the master had suffered no loss by his action​—after all, he gave back the one talent. But this slave was unfaithful, because he accepted the money as a slave with the understanding that it should bring in profits. He no doubt accepted all the benefits that went with being a slave of his master, but he had no love for his master or consideration for his master’s belongings. Actually he caused his master a loss.