The Lord of the Earth had to leave temporarily and called three of his servants. He considered each one’s capacity and entrusted his property to them. He said he would meet them again later in the Spiritual world...

         To the first he gave Money, Power, Comfort, Prestige and Ability: to the second he gave intelligence and authority; to the third he gave the Spiritist knowledge.

         After a long time, the master of those servants came and settled his accounts with them. The first came forward and said:

         - Lord, I made a lot of mistakes and couldn’t fulfil your will, which determines the well-being for all your subjects. I then began sowing slowly with the five talents that you have entrusted me. I managed to conquer five others with some companions that remained in the world: Work, Progress, Friendship, Hope and Gratitude.... Forgive me, Oh Divine Friend, if I could do no more!...

         The Lord replied quiet:

         - Well done, faithful servant, because you didn’t intend to make mistakes... Come back to the material world and resume the work that was interrupted. Be reborn under the protection of the affections that you acquired whilst on Earth.

         The second came and claimed:

         - Lord, please excuse my failure ... I couldn’t clearly understand the aims set down that same happiness for all creatures and made regrettable mistakes ... Still, I used the two talents you have entrusted me and with them, raised other two for many brothers. These talents are culture and experience.

         The Benefactor replied; feeling satisfied:

         - Well done, faithful servant, because you didn’t intend to make mistakes... Come back to the material world and resume the work that was interrupted. Be reborn under the protection of the affections that you acquired whilst on Earth.

         The third came forward and said:

         - Lord, I give you back the Spiritist knowledge; untouched and pure. The Spiritist Knowledge is Light, Lord. I learned with it that your law is fair, giving to each person according to his works. How can this bright and vivid lamp be used, if men on earth are deluded and blind? How the flash of your truth should be used without hurting or disturbing?

         You know the truth, among men, creates problems... I was afraid of your Law and judged to be far more reasonable for me to remain quiet in my home... I hid the gift that you entrusted me and I restore it you untouched by me!...

         The Sublime Lender, however, felt stern and sad. He ordered that the Spiritist knowledge will be given instantly to the other two diligent workers on their way to Earth. He said with piercing words:

         - Unfaithful servant; you will need to resume all your work from the beginning due to your negligence...

         - Lord... Lord... - the servant begged carelessly. – You gave my fellow companions Money, Power, Comfort, skill, prestige, authority and intelligence… You entrusted me only the Spiritist Knowledge... How can you be so severe with me?

         The Lord, however, said, softly:

         - You are aware that I assigned you the light of Truth as the highest talent of all. If both your teammates didn’t succeed in all occasions, it’s because they lacked the insight you could have taught them, by example. You fled for being afraid of correcting; loving, instructing and working... You hided the wealth I lent you. You felt afraid of suffering and helping, but you also damaged the work of your brothers. They would have achieved more in the corporeal world if they had been offered the love, the service, the humility and the patience that you denied them!

         - Lord ... Lord ... why - the unhappy man sobbed – why you are strict, if your law is Mercy and Justice.

         So the Lord’s helped led the un-loyal servant to re-start his work.

Source: XAVIER, F. C. Estante da Vida, by Brother X. 3. ed., Rio de Janeiro, FEB, 1974. (Adapted from Chapter IV).