Investing God’s Gifts: Living a Multiplied Life

Over the past several weeks, we’ve been exploring the call to multiplication in God’s kingdom—a theme woven throughout the entire story of Scripture. From the very beginning, God’s people have been invited to be fruitful, to multiply, and to be a blessing to others. This is not just about numbers or personal gain; it’s about living a life that invests what God has entrusted to us for the sake of His kingdom and the good of others. Today, we looked at the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, where Jesus teaches us that everything we have—our resources, our gifts, our time, and our opportunities—are given to us by God, not to be buried or hoarded, but to be invested and multiplied.

The parable challenges us to move beyond a passive faith that simply waits for Christ’s return, and instead to live with intentionality and faithfulness. The servants who invested what they were given were commended and welcomed into their master’s joy, while the one who buried his gift out of fear was rebuked. This is a call to radical stewardship: to recognize that what we have is not our own, and that God desires to multiply His love, grace, and impact through us as we invest what He’s given.

We considered three practical ways to invest what God has given us. First, by investing our spiritual gifts—those grace-filled abilities given by the Holy Spirit for the common good. These gifts are not for personal status, but for building up the church and blessing others. Second, by investing our time, especially through mentoring and discipling others. Time is one of our most valuable resources, and when we pour it into people, especially the next generation, we participate in God’s multiplying work. Third, by investing with our invitation—welcoming others into the family of God, not just with words, but with genuine embrace and hospitality. Even a simple invitation can have a ripple effect far beyond what we can imagine.

God doesn’t need us to accomplish His purposes, but He delights to partner with us. As we invest our gifts, our time, and our invitations, He promises to multiply our efforts for His glory and the transformation of our community. The best is yet to come as we step out in faith, trusting that God will do more than we can ask or imagine.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Invest your spiritual gifts in service God has given each of us unique spiritual gifts, not for our own recognition, but to serve others and build up the church. When we humbly use these gifts in love, we become conduits of God’s grace, and His love is multiplied in our community. The true measure of our gifts is not in titles or positions, but in the fruit they bear in the lives of others. [21:01]
• 2. Make time for intentional mentoring Time is a precious resource, and investing it in others through mentoring and discipleship has a multiplying effect. When we pour into the next generation or those around us, we shape lives and extend the legacy of faith. Mentoring is not about having all the answers, but about being present, encouraging, and calling others into their God-given purpose. [32:42]
• 3. Extend genuine invitations and welcome The invitation we’ve received from God is not meant to stop with us. When we invite and truly welcome others—especially those who feel far from God or overlooked—we participate in the ongoing story of grace. A simple act of welcome can set off a chain reaction of transformation, as seen in the story of D.L. Moody and the countless lives touched through one invitation. [43:34]
• 4. Multiplication requires intentional stewardship God calls us to be intentional with all He’s entrusted to us—our gifts, time, and opportunities. Multiplication doesn’t happen by accident; it’s the result of faithful, strategic investment. As we step out in obedience, God multiplies our efforts far beyond what we could achieve on our own. [10:32]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:13] - Reading Matthew 25:14-30
• [05:03] - Prayer and Introduction
• [07:36] - Parable of the Talents Explained
• [10:32] - Readiness and Action in God’s Kingdom
• [13:20] - The Call to Invest What God Gives
• [15:56] - Invest with Your Spiritual Gifts
• [18:34] - Serving Others with Your Gifts
• [21:01] - Discovering and Using Spiritual Gifts
• [23:52] - Invest with Your Time
• [26:17] - The Dangers of Rushing and the Value of Time
• [28:01] - Kingdom Investment vs. Worldly Success
• [30:41] - The Power of Mentorship
• [32:42] - Personal Story: The Impact of Mentors
• [35:16] - Mentoring Changes Lives
• [37:48] - Invest with Your Invitation
• [39:37] - The Power of Welcome
• [42:28] - Practical Ways to Invite and Welcome
• [43:34] - The Ripple Effect of Invitation
• [44:51] - D.L. Moody: One Invitation Multiplied
• [47:09] - Vision for Multiplication at Commissioned Church
• [49:51] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Reading

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.’”

Observation Questions

1. In the parable, what did the master expect his servants to do with the talents he gave them?
2. What was the difference in the master’s response to the servants who invested their talents versus the one who buried his?
3. According to the sermon, what are three practical ways we can invest what God has given us? ([15:56])
4. What does the sermon say about the purpose of spiritual gifts in the life of a believer? ([18:34])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus used the example of investing money to teach about faithfulness in God’s kingdom? How does this relate to our everyday lives?
2. The servant who buried his talent acted out of fear. What does this reveal about his understanding of the master, and how might fear keep us from investing what God has given us? ([10:32])
3. The sermon highlights that spiritual gifts are not for personal status but for building up the church and blessing others. How might this challenge the way people sometimes view their own gifts or roles in the church? ([18:34])
4. The story of D.L. Moody shows the ripple effect of a simple invitation. What does this teach us about the potential impact of small acts of faithfulness? ([44:51])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to invest our spiritual gifts in service. Are you aware of the spiritual gifts God has given you? If so, how are you currently using them to serve others? If not, what is one step you can take to discover and use your gifts? ([21:01])
2. Time is described as one of our most valuable resources. Think about your weekly schedule—what is one way you could intentionally invest your time in mentoring or discipling someone else? ([32:42])
3. The sermon mentions that mentoring is not about having all the answers, but about being present and encouraging others. Who in your life could benefit from your presence and encouragement this week? What is one practical thing you could do for them? ([35:16])
4. The idea of invitation and welcome is emphasized as a way to multiply God’s love. Who is someone you could invite to church, a small group, or even just into your home for a meal? How can you make sure they feel genuinely welcomed, not just invited? ([42:28])
5. The parable warns against a passive faith that simply waits for Christ’s return. Are there areas in your life where you have been “burying” what God has given you out of fear or complacency? What would it look like to take a step of faith and invest those gifts or opportunities? ([10:32])
6. The sermon says, “God doesn’t need us to accomplish His purposes, but He delights to partner with us.” How does this truth affect your motivation to serve and invest in others? ([47:09])
7. The story of Edward Kimball and D.L. Moody shows that even small acts of faithfulness can have a huge impact. What is one “small” act of faithfulness you can commit to this week, trusting God to multiply it? ([44:51])