Faithfulness in Stewardship: Trusting God with Our Gifts
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate the launch of Valley Church and to honor the incredible work of Phoenix Bible Church and its leaders. We reflected on the importance of being faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us, drawing from Matthew 25, where Jesus shares three parables about faithfulness and trust. These parables emphasize that while God loves everyone, He does not trust everyone equally. Our goal should be to become people whom God can trust with greater responsibilities.
We explored the parable of the talents, where a master entrusts his servants with different amounts of gold before going on a long journey. The servants who were given five and two talents doubled their master's investment and were praised with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." However, the servant who received one talent buried it out of fear and was rebuked for his lack of faithfulness. This story teaches us that it’s not about the amount we are given but how faithful we are with what we have.
We also discussed the importance of immediate obedience to God. Delayed obedience is disobedience, and we must act with urgency in our faith. There is no better time to serve God than now. We must be faithful in the small things, as they are significant in God's eyes. Our work, no matter how menial it may seem, is a testament to our faith and dedication to God.
Moreover, our motives matter to God. It’s not just about what we do but how we do it. God sees our hearts and intentions, and we will be held accountable for how we live our lives. We must strive to do everything with excellence, as if working for the Lord.
Finally, we acknowledged that many of us might feel like the servant with one talent, burying our gifts out of fear or discouragement. However, we serve a God of resurrection who can bring life to our buried dreams and talents. Today is the day to start being faithful with what God has given us, trusting that He can bring about great things through our obedience.
### Key Takeaways
1. Faithfulness Over Amount: The parable of the talents teaches us that God values faithfulness over the amount we are given. Whether we have much or little, our responsibility is to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us. This faithfulness is what God rewards, not the quantity of our resources. [14:33]
2. Immediate Obedience: Delayed obedience is disobedience. We must act with urgency in our faith, serving God wholeheartedly today rather than waiting for a more convenient time. Our lives are but a vapor, and we must make the most of the time we have to honor God. [19:14]
3. Significance of Small Things: There is no task too small in God's eyes. Whether it's cleaning a bathroom or leading a ministry, every act of service is significant. Our work is our witness, and we must do everything with excellence as if working for the Lord. [24:43]
4. Motives Matter: God sees our hearts and intentions. It’s not just about what we do but how we do it. Our motives matter to God, and we will be held accountable for how we live our lives. We must strive to serve with pure hearts and genuine intentions. [26:12]
5. God of Resurrection: Even if we have buried our talents out of fear or discouragement, God can bring life to our situation. He is a God of resurrection who can restore and use our gifts for His glory. Today is the day to start being faithful with what God has given us. [34:00]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:29] - Introduction and Family
[02:59] - Journey from Montana to Arizona
[04:28] - Vision for Valley Church
[05:43] - Announcement of Valley Church Launch
[07:15] - Introduction to Matthew 25
[08:43] - God's Love vs. God's Trust
[10:20] - Parable of the Talents
[11:44] - Faithfulness with Time, Talent, and Treasure
[13:11] - Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant
[14:33] - Faithfulness Over Amount
[15:56] - Consequences of Unfaithfulness
[17:46] - Immediate Obedience
[19:14] - Urgency in Serving God
[20:41] - Significance of Small Things
[22:07] - Personal Story: Cleaning the Bathroom
[24:43] - Work as Witness
[26:12] - Motives Matter
[27:38] - Accountability Before God
[29:00] - Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant
[30:30] - Personal Story: Youth Pastor Zoom Call
[34:00] - God of Resurrection
[34:45] - The Quiet Quit
[35:56] - Prayer and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Talents)
- Colossians 3:23 (Work as for the Lord)
### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the talents, what did the master entrust to his servants, and how did each servant respond? (Matthew 25:14-30)
2. What was the master's reaction to the servant who buried his talent, and what does this teach us about faithfulness? (Matthew 25:24-30)
3. According to Colossians 3:23, how should we approach our work, and why is this important in the context of the sermon? (Colossians 3:23)
4. What does the sermon say about the significance of small tasks in God's eyes? [24:43]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the master in the parable of the talents reward the servants who doubled their investments, and what does this imply about God's expectations for us? (Matthew 25:21, 23)
2. How does the concept of "immediate obedience" as discussed in the sermon relate to the servant who buried his talent? [19:14]
3. What does Colossians 3:23 suggest about our motives and attitudes in our daily work, and how does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on doing everything with excellence? (Colossians 3:23)
4. How can understanding that "God sees our hearts and intentions" change the way we approach our responsibilities and service? [26:12]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like the servant with one talent. What steps can you take to start using your gifts and talents more faithfully? [34:00]
2. How can you practice immediate obedience in your daily life? Identify one area where you have been delaying obedience and make a plan to act on it this week. [19:14]
3. Think of a small task you often overlook or consider insignificant. How can you approach this task with a new perspective, seeing it as significant in God's eyes? [24:43]
4. Examine your motives in your current responsibilities. Are there areas where you need to adjust your attitude to align more with working for the Lord rather than for human approval? [26:12]
5. Identify a specific way you can serve with excellence this week, whether at work, home, or church. How will you ensure that your actions reflect a heart of faithfulness and dedication to God? [23:24]
6. Have you ever experienced a "quiet quit" in any area of your life, such as your job, marriage, or spiritual walk? What steps can you take to re-engage and bring life back to that area? [34:45]
7. How can you encourage someone else who might feel like they have buried their talents out of fear or discouragement? What practical support can you offer them this week? [34:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Faithfulness Over Amount
God values faithfulness over the amount we are given. In the parable of the talents, the master entrusts his servants with different amounts of gold. The servants who were given five and two talents doubled their master's investment and were praised, while the servant who received one talent buried it out of fear and was rebuked. This story teaches us that it’s not about the amount we are given but how faithful we are with what we have. Whether we have much or little, our responsibility is to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us. This faithfulness is what God rewards, not the quantity of our resources. [14:33]
"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." (Luke 16:10, ESV)
Reflection: What is one small thing you can be more faithful in today, trusting that God sees and values your effort?
Day 2: Immediate Obedience
Delayed obedience is disobedience. We must act with urgency in our faith, serving God wholeheartedly today rather than waiting for a more convenient time. Our lives are but a vapor, and we must make the most of the time we have to honor God. Immediate obedience shows our trust in God and our willingness to follow His lead without hesitation. There is no better time to serve God than now. [19:14]
"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." (Proverbs 27:1, ESV)
Reflection: Is there something God has been prompting you to do that you have been putting off? How can you take a step of immediate obedience today?
Day 3: Significance of Small Things
There is no task too small in God's eyes. Whether it's cleaning a bathroom or leading a ministry, every act of service is significant. Our work, no matter how menial it may seem, is a testament to our faith and dedication to God. We must do everything with excellence as if working for the Lord. Our work is our witness, and through it, we can glorify God. [24:43]
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one small task you often overlook or undervalue? How can you approach it with a renewed sense of purpose and excellence today?
Day 4: Motives Matter
God sees our hearts and intentions. It’s not just about what we do but how we do it. Our motives matter to God, and we will be held accountable for how we live our lives. We must strive to serve with pure hearts and genuine intentions. Our actions should be driven by a desire to honor God and not by seeking approval or recognition from others. [26:12]
"All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit." (Proverbs 16:2, ESV)
Reflection: Examine your motives for a recent action or decision. Are they aligned with a desire to honor God, or are they influenced by seeking approval from others? How can you purify your intentions?
Day 5: God of Resurrection
Even if we have buried our talents out of fear or discouragement, God can bring life to our situation. He is a God of resurrection who can restore and use our gifts for His glory. Today is the day to start being faithful with what God has given us, trusting that He can bring about great things through our obedience. We serve a God who can resurrect our buried dreams and talents, giving them new life and purpose. [34:00]
"And I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you." (Joel 2:25, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a talent or dream you have buried out of fear or discouragement? How can you begin to trust God to resurrect and use it for His glory today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "There’s not a better time to serve God than right now. There’s not a better moment to give your life to Christ than today. There’s not a better time to start obeying God’s word than today. Can I get an amen in church? There’s never a better time than right now. We need to start. Stop delaying our obedience." [19:14] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We serve the God of resurrection. We serve the God of wonder-working power. We serve the God who can bring life to your situation, who can bring life to you. We serve a great God. And he could meet you with the one. This servant wasn’t found faithful, but this is also Jesus talking about being found faithful before he goes to the cross. See, Jesus is the one who will square up with you, but he’s also the one who died for you. He’s also the one who loves you. He’s also the one who can restore you." [35:56] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God loves everyone but he doesn’t trust everyone the same. Now I’m gonna make this point really plain. I’m Native American and born and raised on a reservation. My mom had four kids from four different baby daddies. My life was crazy if I was to just sum it up in a sentence I would say my family has Walmart problems. Y’all ever been to Walmart? Yes some of y’all go to Target you got Target problems some of y’all got Nordstrom problems I had Walmart problems." [09:20] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God loves you he cares about you you it is a vital for your faith and your identity but God’s love and his trust are a little bit different. God loves everyone but he doesn’t trust everyone the same. Now I’m gonna make this point really plain I’m Native American and born and raised on a reservation my mom had four kids from four different baby daddies my life was crazy if I was to just sum it up in a sentence I would say my family has Walmart problems." [09:20] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "It’s not about amount. It’s about faithfulness. It’s not about how much you got. It’s about how faithful you were with what you got. You can’t determine how much you get in this life, but you can determine how faithful you are going to be with what God gives you." [14:33] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Your work is your sermon every single day. And your life is your sermon. You are preaching all the time. And listen, your work is not just for your wage. Your work is your witness. Your work is your witness. This is how we’re going to impact the city for Jesus." [24:43] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We will be held accountable for this life in all the time and talent and treasure God has trusted us with. You will be held accountable for how you lived your life. Not just that you did it, but how you did it." [27:38] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "There has to be a sense of urgency about our lives, about everything around us. You don’t know the days. You don’t know what’s coming. See today, you need to be start. You need to start today being found good and faithful." [19:14] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "For whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart as you are working for the Lord, not for human masters. Do you understand? We are working, we are living for God, not for humans. And our lives are preaching and our work is our testimony." [23:24] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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