Are you investing in eternity? // Richard Welsh

Are you investing in eternity? This week's message explores how to use our gifts for God's kingdom and steward them faithfully!

----------------------------------

ARE YOU INVESTING IN ETERNITY?

(Ecclesiastes 3:11 AMP) He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.

(Matthew 25:14 NLT) Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 

WE ARE ALL STEWARDS

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

(Matthew 25:15 NLT) He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last-dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

GOD-GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY COMES WITH GOD-GIVEN ABILITY

(Matthew 25:16-18 NLT) The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. (17) The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. (18) But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master's money. 

(Hebrews 12:2 NIV) Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

(Matthew 25:19-20 NLT) After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. (20) The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, 'Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.' 

(Matthew 25:23 NLT) The master said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!”

GOD-GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY IS PART OF THE REWARD

(Matthew 25:24-28 NLT) Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, “Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn't plant and gathering crops you didn't cultivate. (25) I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.” (26) But the master replied, “You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn't plant and gathered crops I didn't cultivate, (27) why didn't you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.” (28) Then he ordered, “Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver.”

THE JOY AND REWARD OF GOOD STEWARDSHIP 

(Matthew 25:29 NLT) To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.

----------------------------------

Connect Group Questions

• What does it mean to "invest in eternity," and how can we do that with what God has given us? (Matthew 25:14, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
• How does being a good steward of God's gifts affect our relationship with Him and others? (1 Peter 4:10, Matthew 25:20-21)
• Why do you think fear influenced the third servant's decision to hide the money, and how does this relate to how we view God? (Matthew 25:24-25, 1 John 4:18)
• What are some ways we can use our gifts and abilities to serve God and others in our daily lives? (Matthew 25:16-17, 1 Peter 4:10)
• How can living as a light for others help them see and glorify God? (Matthew 5:14-16)

----------------------------------

Connect with us:

Web: mylifehouse.com

Instagram: instagram.com/lifehouseglobal/

Facebook: facebook.com/lifehouseglobal

Other Podcasts:

Want to listen to our messages in other languages?

Lifehouse Japan (Japanese & English): https://lifehousejapan.captivate.fm/listen

Lifehouse Hong Kong (Cantonese & English): https://lifehousehongkong.captivate.fm/listen