Faithful Stewardship: Using What God Has Given You

Title: Faithful Stewardship: Using What God Has Given You

Text: Matthew 25:14–30 (Primary) and Luke 19:11–27 (Supporting)

Introduction

Open with a story or illustration about responsibility or accountability.

Transition to the parable: Jesus tells this story to illustrate how we are to live in anticipation of His return.

Key Question: What does God expect from us as stewards of His gifts?

Big Idea (Thesis):

God has entrusted every believer with gifts, resources, and opportunities. How we use them reflects our faithfulness to Him and impacts His Kingdom.

Matthew 25:14–30 ESV

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Main Points:

I. The Trust Given: God Entrusts Us with His Resources (vv. 14-15)

Explanation:

The master represents God, and the servants represent believers.

Each servant receives talents (a form of currency) according to their ability.

This highlights God's sovereignty in distributing gifts and opportunities.

Application:

Recognize that everything you have—time, money, skills, and spiritual gifts—belongs to God.

Avoid comparing your gifts with others.

Challenge: Are you aware of the resources God has entrusted to you?

II. The Response Required: Faithfulness in Stewardship (vv. 16-18)

Explanation:

Two servants immediately go to work, multiplying what they’ve been given.

Notice God gives the same response to both of them.

The third servant hides the talent, driven by fear and laziness.

Faithfulness means using what God has given to grow His Kingdom.

Application:

Are you actively using your talents and opportunities to glorify God and serve others?

Faithfulness often requires effort, risk, and trust in God’s provision.

Illustration: Edward Kimball- Sunday School teacher- DL Moody- Billy Graham

III. The Reckoning to Come: Accountability Before the Master (vv. 19-23)

Explanation:

The master returns to settle accounts with the servants.

Faithful servants are rewarded with greater responsibilities and joy in the master’s presence.

The unfaithful servant is condemned for his inaction.

Application:

There will be a day of reckoning when we stand before Christ

Romans 14:12

Romans 14:12 ESV

12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Our reward is not based on how much we have but on how faithfully we use what we’ve been given.

Challenge: Are you living in light of Christ’s return?

IV. The Consequences of Inaction: Loss and Judgment (vv. 24-30)

Explanation:

The unfaithful servant’s excuses show a distorted view of the master and a lack of trust.

He loses what was entrusted to him, and he is cast out into "outer darkness."

This warns of the spiritual danger of fear, apathy, and missed opportunities.

Application:

Don’t let fear, doubt, or laziness keep you from stepping out in faith.

Trust God’s character as loving, gracious, and fair.

Illustration: 2 Timothy 1:7

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Conclusion:

Recap: God calls us to faithful stewardship, recognizing His gifts, using them diligently, and preparing for His return.

Call to Action:

Reflect on the talents and opportunities God has given you.

Commit to using them for His glory, starting today.

Closing Thought: Faithful stewardship is not about how much you’ve been given but about how you respond to the Master’s trust.

Scripture for Reflection:

Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”