some critics interpret the poem's exhortation to be ready to receive god's will as a critique of a misunderstanding of the parable as literal or economic, and that waiting—rather than amassing wealth to prove one's worth—is the proper way to serve god. while the narrator worries over his limited accomplishments, patience reminds him that god does not need "man's work". milton may even be contrasting god (as king) with the lord of the parable.