Time, Talents and Treasures

Matthew 25:14–30, Acts 20:25–35, Galatians 6:9-10, Romans 12:15-21,

We are given everything we have by God. Not only is He our God or Father, but our Master. Which is why I am having us study this set of verses.

We each have talents that makes us uniquely qualified to serve not only each other, But our God in heaven. So lets discuss this set of verses.

The guy who recieved 5 talents, he turned around and made investments with them and increased the amount he had.

The one who recieved 2 talents did the same.

The one who recieved 1 talent on the other hand hid the talent.

What did the master say to each of these men?

Why did he deal so harshly with the slave that buried the talent he was given?

We are given the things we have and are given to further the kingdom of God. So how does hiding our talents help anyone? Or do we use the talents we have for our own purposes? Certainly Not! We are here to build one another up, strengthen each other so we can give our Creator our best.

We look at Acts 20:25-35 next. Here Paul is talking to the church at Ephesus. Here Paul talks to the Church about his leaving to go to Jerusalem. He knows what is about to happen to him. He says he didn’t shrink from his job of declaring the word of God. It is a burden placed on few. But it is a burden that those of us who do it, gladly do so. Because in the end, we are just servants of Christ.

Why does he warn the church about wolves? What is it an analogy of?

He says he served his own needs and the men he brought with him. What difference does that make?

He quotes Christ, It is more blessed to give then receive. What does that statement mean?

How do we reflect this action?

We are here to serve one another as Christ served His Father to the point of death, so are we called. Our lives belong to him. We spoke last week about abiding in Christ, but what if that abiding requires us to give up everything we have, or even our lives. What do we do?

Next up, Galatians 6:9-10. Here we are told to not be discouraged in doing good.

How do we become discouraged in doing good. I mean, doesn’t that reap its own rewards?

If we have to do good to all people, what must happen to our own desires?

Why does Paul say we have to do good especially to those of the church?

We are meant to build each other up, not tear one another down by talking about each other behind the backs of those around us. So, how do we keep this from happening? It is simple, if we see wrongdoing, we step up and do our best to help correct it. It is not a pleasant task, but it must be done to preserve the integrity of the body of Christ.

Now we will look at Romans 12:15–21. This set talks more about how we serve the body. It isn’t just a Pastors job, it is every Christians job to be there for one another. It says specifically to not be haughty.

This is the definition arrogantly superior and disdainful.

"a look of haughty disdain"

1. What does it look like to rejoice with those who rejoice, or weep with those that weep?

2. These verses speak clearly about how we should interact with even those outside the body of Christ. Why does it matter how non Christians see us?

We also are supposed to treat our enemies will. I mean, feeding them and giving them something to drink. Not to take our own revenge. I mean, our revenge is nothing in comparison to what the Lord will do far worse. The most we can hope for is that they will no longer be our enemies. So pray for those that do you wrong.