Numeric data does not always measure success or growth for an organization or a person. God's measure of success for Noah was not how many people he had turned to righteousness. Noah's preaching had little or no effect on most of the people to whom he preached. The success both Noah and Ezekiel could claim was their faithfulness in speaking God's word to these reluctant people. The talents Jesus parceled out in the parable were spiritual gifts (God's Holy Spirit, understanding, access to God, etc.). God's word does not come back empty. The wicked servant who did not invest what God had given him lost the spiritual gift he already had.