The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. At this the servant fell on his knees before him. "Be patient with me," he begged, "and I will pay back everything." The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. "Pay back what you owe me!" he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, "Be patient with me, and I will pay it back."...
Reference: Matthew 18:21-35
The Debt of Forgiveness
A man owed his bank an overwhelming amount of money and feared he would lose everything he owned. After reviewing his case, the bank made the surprising decision to forgive the entire balance, freeing him from years of financial strain. The man walked out relieved and determined to rebuild his life with a renewed sense of hope. Shortly afterward he encountered a neighbor who owed him a small amount, and instead of remembering the generosity he had just received, he demanded instant repayment with harsh intensity.
When the bank learned how he treated his neighbor, they withdrew their mercy and emphasized that forgiveness carries an expectation of compassion toward others. The man discovered that grace becomes real only when it is extended rather than hoarded. Jesus teaches that God forgives far more than we could ever repay, and that this gift must shape how we respond to those who wrong us. A hardened heart contradicts the mercy we have received, while a generous heart reflects God’s character.