What if you knew THEN, what you know NOW?
Good Morning Blue Jays Fans
Good morning, good morning. To all my Blue Jays fans, a special "woo" for you! No Blue Jays story today, but if you missed last week's, it was a good one. Welcome to everyone here and those joining us online. Delighted that you've tuned in.
What If You Knew Then What You Know Now?
Let's begin with a question: What if you knew then what you know now? Ponder that for a moment. If you gaze back to 1980 or any other past time, with today's wisdom, what decisions would you have changed? Imagine investing in Apple back then—a $5,000 investment could have been worth millions now. Hindsight, as they say, is 20/20.
The Parable of the Talents
Today, we explore a story told by Jesus in Matthew 25—the parable of the talents. He illustrates through this story how our earthly lives echo into eternity. The concept is simple yet profound: God has entrusted us with resources, talents, and time, and He expects us to steward them faithfully.
Understanding Ownership
It is crucial to understand that God owns everything. This mindset shifts us from being mere owners to stewards of His blessings. Accepting this truth changes how we live. It encourages open-handed generosity, as nothing is truly ours to hold onto.
Giving an Account
We will all give an account of our stewardship—not just our money but our talents and time too. Imagine standing before God, not to face judgment but to receive rewards like athletes at the bema seat in the original Greek games. It's not something to be feared but celebrated, as God lavishes His rewards on those faithful in stewardship.
Living as Kingdom Investors
So, how do we live as faithful stewards? By seeing ourselves as kingdom investors instead of earthly spenders. Spending is trading while investing is dedicating resources with an expectation of spiritual return. This shift changes how we view our actions, time, and possessions.
Aligning Values
Reflect on the things you've spent a lifetime accumulating. Remind yourself that much of it may not hold any eternal value. Our identity and purpose are found not in material possessions but in being children of the King.
An Encouragement to Invest Eternally
You are the ten talents, not the one. You live in a time of immense opportunity to impact eternity positively. Though we are saved by grace, our stewardship here on Earth can impact eternity—not just for us but for others as well.
Conclusion
Envision a future where there's no more sin, pain, or tears—just perfect love in God's presence. Let's live today in light of eternity. As we use our gifts and resources, God's voice cheers us on: "Well done, good and faithful servant."
"Come and share your master's happiness," He'll say. Until then, let's pray and commit to living lives of faithful stewardship for His glory and our ultimate purpose.
Prayer and Invitation
Father, thank you for your boundless generosity. Help us to steward wisely what you've entrusted to us. For those who feel the nudge to invest rather than spend, guide us in making a significant impact on heaven and others. In Jesus' name, amen.
As Chris comes up to receive the tithes and offerings, let’s prepare to share in the feast that the Lord has prepared—a reminder of His goodness and the abundance He offers us.