Definition: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, [there] thou hast [that is] thine.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 25:25. It's a really important one about God’s care for his people. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse says that Jesus, the Son of God, felt concern and worry when he saw people weren't using their talents or skills to help others. He realized that this wasn’t fair, and he wanted to protect those who were struggling. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: "And I was afraid..." – This shows Jesus understood the gravity of the situation. He knew that people weren't doing what he expected them to do with their gifts. "...and went and hid thy talent in the earth:" – This means Jesus took a look at all the people who had talents, skills, or abilities (like a musician, an artist, a farmer, etc.) and decided they needed a little protection. He started hiding them away. "lo, [there] thou hast thine." – This is the key part! “There” refers to the earth. The Latin word "lo" means “there.” So, Jesus said, "And there is yours." It’s a gentle way of saying that God has taken care of those who are struggling and providing for them. What does this mean in a bigger picture? This verse speaks to several important ideas: God's Love & Concern: Jesus shows us that he cares deeply about all his followers, even those who aren’t perfectly using their gifts. He doesn’t just look down on people; he actively protects them. Responsibility: It reminds us that we too have a responsibility to use our talents and skills for good – to help others. It's not enough to just have something valuable; it's important to share it with those who need it. God’s Protection: This verse highlights God’s role as the protector of his people, ensuring they are cared for and supported. In short, this verse is a beautiful illustration of God's love and concern for all humanity. --- Do you want me to explain any of these points further? For example, would you like me to: Explain the context of this verse in the Bible? Discuss what it means for us as believers to "hide our talents"?