Matthew 25:14-30 "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
We learn in Psalms 50:7-12 and Haggai 2:8 that God owns it all. There is nothing in your hand but that God put it there to use. In reality your hours, your automobile, your spouse, your children, your Bass boat, even you 401K belongs to God: we just possess it for a season. What this means then is that we simply become managers of what belongs to God.
Once you come to the realization that you really own nothing but are a stewart (manager) of God's property you can easily come to three truths.
First: God has a right to whatever He wants, whenever He wants it. He’s the owner and has rights. As a steward I only have responsibilities!
If you really believe this then:
a) Each financial decision is a very important decision because you are handling God’s resources.
b) You will have less anxiety over money because you are just a manager; He has promised to meet your needs.
These two facts leads to true contentment. Therefore, whether you have much or little is un-important; what you possess is not yours but God’s to use for a season – He is supplying your needs!
Second: Not only are giving decisions a spiritual decision, but, every spending decision is a spiritual decision.
a) Nothing is more or less spiritual in buying a car, taking a vacation, buying food, or paying a debt; all of these spending decisions are responsible uses of God’s resources.
b) God doesn’t say much about what are correct uses of His resources.
c) God give to us to use resources to:
- Provide for our needs
- Benefit us
- To reach the world for Him
- Bear in mind that God gives latitude and responsibility; we will give an account on how we used His resources. (Matthew 25:14-30)
Third: Wise stewardship is an indicator of spiritual health.
You can fake prayer, bible study, evangelism, and even church going, but your checkbook reveals what is truly important to you!
What are you spending God's resources on? Is it self? Is it to meet the needs of others? Is in to promote the spreading of the Gospel?
Would God be pleased with how you are spending what he has placed in your hand?
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