Embracing Unity: Treasures, Time, and Talents for Christ
Summary
As we come to the end of our journey through 1 Corinthians, we see a church much like ours—full of people with baggage, struggles, and imperfections, yet built on the unchanging foundation of Jesus Christ. The church in Corinth faced divisions, moral failures, and confusion about doctrine, but Paul’s letter is a call to unity, generosity, and active participation in the life of the church. The most important question for each of us is what we do with Jesus, the one who died and rose again, offering us the best possible life now and the hope of resurrection to come.
Paul’s closing words in chapter 16 give us a practical blueprint for being a vital part of the church. First, we are called to dedicate our treasures. Generosity is not just about money—it’s a reflection of our hearts and our understanding of God’s grace. Everything we have is a gift from God, and we are stewards, not owners. When we grasp the depth of God’s grace and our role as stewards, generosity becomes a joyful response rather than a burden.
Second, we are to devote our time. Time is a precious, non-renewable resource, and how we spend it reveals our priorities. Paul’s desire to spend quality time with the Corinthians reminds us to invest in our families, our friends, and even those outside the faith. True devotion to God is seen in the way we build relationships, encourage one another, and remain present in the lives of those around us.
Finally, we are to deploy our talents. God has uniquely gifted each of us for the good of the church and the world. Whether our gifts seem big or small, they are essential to the body of Christ. The examples of Timothy, Apollos, Stephanas, and others show that faithful service—using what God has given us—builds up the church and advances God’s kingdom.
The story of the Corinthian church is a story of God’s faithfulness to imperfect people. For centuries, that church made a difference in its community. We are invited to do the same: to dedicate our treasures, devote our time, and deploy our talents for the glory of Christ and the good of his people.
Key Takeaways
- Generosity flows from understanding God’s grace. When we realize that salvation is a free gift, not earned by our works or giving, our hearts are freed to give joyfully and sacrificially. Our use of money and possessions is a direct reflection of our trust in God and our gratitude for his provision. True generosity is not about the amount, but about the heart behind the gift. [11:54]
- We are stewards, not owners, of everything we have. God entrusts us with resources, abilities, and opportunities, expecting us to manage them wisely for his purposes. Remembering that even our ability to earn and create comes from God keeps us humble and dependent on him. Stewardship is a daily act of worship, reminding us that all we have is from the Lord and for the Lord. [15:24]
- Time is a limited and precious gift, and how we use it matters deeply. Investing in our families, friends, and even those outside the faith is a way of honoring God with our days. The brevity of life should drive us to intentionality, making the most of every opportunity to love, serve, and build up others. Wisdom comes from numbering our days and devoting them to what truly lasts. [26:56]
- Our talents and spiritual gifts are meant for service, not self-promotion. Each person in the body of Christ has a unique role to play, and the church flourishes when everyone contributes. No gift is too small or insignificant; God uses our willingness and faithfulness to accomplish his purposes. The question is not whether we have something to offer, but whether we are willing to use what we have for God’s glory. [33:36]
- The legacy of a church is built on ordinary people faithfully participating in God’s work. The Corinthian church endured for centuries, not because they were perfect, but because they responded to God’s call to unity, generosity, and service. Our impact as a church will be measured by our willingness to be part of God’s ongoing story—dedicating our treasures, devoting our time, and deploying our talents for Christ. [36:20]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - The Story of the Corinthian Church
[03:19] - The Central Question: What Will You Do With Jesus?
[04:57] - Dedicate Your Treasures
[06:15] - What the Bible Teaches About Money
[09:37] - Generosity as a Spiritual Indicator
[11:54] - Understanding Grace and Stewardship
[15:24] - Remembering God as the Source
[20:32] - Practical Giving and Church Projects
[22:00] - Devote Your Time
[23:50] - Quality Time With Family and Friends
[24:51] - Time in the Field: Engaging the World
[26:56] - The Value and Brevity of Time
[28:40] - Making the Most of Your Days
[31:19] - Deploy Your Talents
[33:36] - Every Gift Matters in God’s Work
[36:20] - Final Greetings and the Enduring Legacy of the Church
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: 1 Corinthians 16 – Dedicate Your Treasures, Devote Your Time, Deploy Your Talents
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### Bible Reading
- 1 Corinthians 16:1-24 (Paul’s closing instructions to the Corinthian church)
- Matthew 6:19-21 (“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…”)
- Psalm 90:12 (“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”)
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### Observation Questions
1. What practical instructions does Paul give the Corinthians about giving and generosity in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4?
2. According to Matthew 6:19-21, what does Jesus say about where we store our treasures and why does it matter?
3. In 1 Corinthians 16, who are some of the people Paul mentions as examples of serving the church, and what roles did they play? [31:19]
4. What does Psalm 90:12 teach us about our time on earth?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize regular, intentional giving rather than spontaneous or pressured giving? How does this reflect our understanding of God’s grace? [11:54]
2. What does it mean to be a “steward” rather than an “owner” of our resources, and how might this change the way we view our money, time, and abilities? [15:24]
3. Why do you think Paul wanted to spend quality time with the Corinthians instead of just passing through? What does this say about the importance of relationships in the church? [23:50]
4. How does the example of Timothy, Apollos, and Stephanas show that every person’s gifts and service matter in the church, no matter how big or small? [33:36]
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### Application Questions
1. When you look at your own spending or giving habits, what do they reveal about your heart and your trust in God’s provision? Is there a specific area where you feel challenged to grow in generosity? [09:37]
2. The sermon talked about being stewards, not owners, of everything we have. Is there something in your life (money, possessions, skills) that you tend to hold onto tightly? What would it look like to offer that to God? [15:24]
3. Think about your weekly schedule. Are there ways you could be more intentional about investing time in your family, friends, or people outside the church? What is one relationship you want to prioritize this month? [23:50]
4. The pastor mentioned that time is a limited and precious gift. Is there something you’re spending time on that doesn’t really matter in the long run? What is one change you could make to use your time more wisely? [26:56]
5. Everyone has unique talents and spiritual gifts. Do you know what yours are? If not, what is one step you could take to discover or develop your gifts for serving others? [33:36]
6. The Corinthian church made a difference in their community for centuries, not because they were perfect, but because they responded to God’s call. What is one way you can participate more actively in the life of our church? [36:20]
7. The most important question is, “What will you do with Jesus?” Where are you in your relationship with Him right now, and what is one step you feel led to take in response? [03:19]
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Closing Prayer:
Ask God to help you dedicate your treasures, devote your time, and deploy your talents for His glory and the good of His people. Invite Him to show you specific ways to respond this week.
Devotional
Day 1: Dedicate Your Treasures to the Lord
True generosity flows from recognizing God as the giver of all we have, and our willingness to give reflects the state of our hearts toward Him. When we store up treasures in heaven—through relationships, character, and generosity—we invest in what truly lasts, rather than clinging to possessions that will eventually fade away. Jesus teaches that our hearts follow our treasures, so we are called to hold our resources loosely and use them for God’s purposes, knowing that everything we have is ultimately His. [07:44]
Matthew 6:19-21 (Good News Translation)
“Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are.”
Reflection: What is one possession or resource you are holding onto tightly? How can you use it today to bless someone or further God’s kingdom?
Day 2: Understand God’s Grace—The Foundation for Generosity
Generosity is not about obligation or earning God’s favor, but a response to the free gift of salvation we have received through Jesus Christ. When we truly grasp that our salvation is by grace alone—not by our works, giving, or performance—our hearts are transformed, and we become more willing to give freely, just as God has given to us. Let the reality of God’s unearned love and mercy inspire you to live with open hands, sharing what you have with others. [11:54]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Reflection: In what ways does remembering God’s grace to you change your attitude toward giving and generosity today?
Day 3: Steward All You Have—It’s All God’s
Everything we possess—our money, abilities, time, and even the very breath in our lungs—comes from God, and we are called to steward these gifts wisely for His glory. Just as the Israelites were warned not to forget the Lord when they prospered, we too must remember that our success and resources are not earned solely by our own strength, but are entrusted to us by God. Recognizing ourselves as stewards, not owners, helps us to hold our blessings with humility and use them for God’s purposes. [16:18]
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (ESV)
“Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life—finances, skills, or time—where you tend to act as an owner rather than a steward? How can you surrender that area to God’s use today?
Day 4: Devote Your Time to What Matters Most
Time is a precious and limited gift, and we honor God by intentionally investing it in relationships—with our families, friends, church community, and those who do not yet know Christ. Quality time with loved ones, building up the church, and reaching out to the world are all ways to devote your days to the Lord. As Psalm 90 reminds us, numbering our days leads to wisdom, so make the most of every opportunity to love, serve, and grow in faith together. [26:56]
Psalm 90:12 (ESV)
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
Reflection: Who is one person—family, friend, or neighbor—you can intentionally spend quality time with this week to encourage or support them in their walk with God?
Day 5: Deploy Your Talents for God’s Work
God has uniquely gifted each person with talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts meant to be used for the building up of His church and the service of others. No matter your background, age, or perceived limitations, you have a vital role to play in God’s family. When you offer your gifts—whether in visible or behind-the-scenes ways—you help the church become all that God intends it to be, and you find purpose and joy in serving. [33:36]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
Reflection: What is one talent, skill, or passion God has given you that you can use this week to serve someone in your church or community?
Quotes
When we begin to realize that as a believer, we have the salvation of God free of charge. Free of charge. You don't have to give a penny to the church. You don't have to do any amount of good works. You don't have to perform at a high level. God's not up in heaven weighing the good and the bad, and when you get up to him, hopefully the good is more than the bad, and then come on in. No, it's not based on your giving. It's not based on your talent. It's not based on how good you are. It's based entirely upon Jesus Christ and what he's done on the cross. [00:11:29] (33 seconds)
For by grace you've been saved through faith. It's not of work so that no man can boast. It's a gift of God. It's a gift. And when we begin to understand this grace, and we can in our hearts feel this more of a generous spirit because we've been given this great gift. [00:12:22] (19 seconds)
Understand that we are stewards. Stewards, we don't use that word too much anymore, but a steward is one who manages a property or financial assets for another person. They're their agent. And so they're managing something for another person. That's who we are as believers, as Christians. We're stewards of what God has given us, all of it. [00:12:53] (26 seconds)
God gives this to you as a steward to use. We don't own it. God owns it. And yet in his mercy and grace, he gives us this ability to steward all these good things that God gives us in life. [00:13:45] (17 seconds)
Beware lest you say in your heart, here it is, my power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth. You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is to this day. [00:17:06] (16 seconds)
He's not compelling them to give. He's not saying you have to give this much or do this. He's just saying, as you have means, set aside some for the work of the Lord. In 2 Corinthians chapter 9, I'll mention this a little bit. He starts saying that God loves a cheerful giver. So it's not under compulsion to give. Give out a cheerful, generous heart. [00:19:12] (20 seconds)
Each one of you have spiritual gifts that are to be used. And the church won't be all that it can be unless you use the gifts that God has given you. We need you. We need you. [00:33:55] (20 seconds)
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