Investing in Eternity: Time, Talents, and Treasures
Summary
Today’s focus is on the idea of investment—not just in the financial sense, but in the way we use our time, talents, and treasures for things that matter eternally. We all have moments in our lives we wish we could go back and change, whether it’s a foolish purchase or a missed opportunity. The world is full of stories about people who made the “right” investment at the “right” time and became wealthy, but Jesus calls us to a different kind of investment—one that doesn’t just pay off in this life, but in the life to come.
Looking at Luke 16, we see Jesus tell a parable about a dishonest manager who, when faced with losing his job, acts shrewdly to secure his future. While his dishonesty isn’t praised, his shrewdness—his ability to make the most of the opportunity before him—is. Jesus uses this story to challenge us: Are we making the most of what God has given us? Are we using our resources—our money, our time, our abilities—to invest in people and in God’s kingdom, or are we just storing up treasures for ourselves?
The truth is, everything we have is on loan from God. Our lives, our skills, our possessions—they’re not really ours. We’re called to manage them well, not just for our own benefit, but for the sake of others and for the sake of eternity. Earthly investments can be lost, but investments in people and in God’s work last forever. We are eternal beings, and the only things we can take with us into eternity are the lives we’ve touched and the people we’ve influenced for Christ.
So, the challenge is to live generously, to participate in God’s work, and to start with just one person in your sphere of influence. Don’t wait for the “perfect” time or the “perfect” amount—start now, with what you have. Remember, your earthly generosity has eternal consequences. Let’s be people who use every opportunity to invest in what truly matters, trusting God to multiply our efforts for His kingdom.
Key Takeaways
- Regret and Opportunity: Everyone has moments they wish they could change, but God’s Word gives us clarity about what truly matters. Instead of living in regret over past decisions, we are invited to invest in things that have eternal value, knowing that God has already told us what the best investments are. Our time, talents, and treasures are opportunities to impact eternity, not just our own comfort. [35:57]
- Shrewdness Over Dishonesty: The parable of the dishonest manager isn’t about praising dishonesty, but about commending shrewdness—using wisdom and urgency to make the most of what we’ve been given. Jesus challenges us to be as intentional and strategic with our resources for God’s kingdom as the world is with theirs. The question isn’t how much we have, but how wisely and generously we use it. [45:53]
- Planning for Eternity: We often spend our lives planning for retirement or for the end of our earthly journey, but Jesus reminds us that our lives are eternal. The end of our earthly life is not the end; it’s a transition. True wisdom is planning for what comes after, investing in people and God’s purposes, because those are the only things that last. [51:59]
- Stewardship, Not Ownership: Nothing we have is truly ours—God entrusts us with time, talents, and treasures to manage for His purposes. Our role is not to possess, but to steward, using what we’ve been given to bless others and advance God’s kingdom. Faithfulness in small things leads to greater trust and opportunity in God’s eyes. [55:09]
- Generosity as Participation: God calls us to be participants, not mere attendees, in His work. This means actively using our gifts, serving others, and investing in the lives around us. The only things we can take into eternity are the people we’ve influenced for Christ, so let’s be intentional about making our generosity count for what matters most. [01:00:03]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:58] - Opening Refrain: Let’s Get Started
[05:25] - Transition and Greetings
[07:37] - Reflections on Regret and Missed Opportunities
[35:57] - Personal Stories of Investment and Regret
[37:23] - The World’s Greatest Investments
[41:40] - Introduction to Luke 16 and the Parable
[45:53] - The Shrewd Manager: Wisdom in Action
[46:48] - Making the Most of Every Opportunity
[47:57] - The Pharisees’ Response and Jesus’ Challenge
[51:59] - Planning for Eternity, Not Just Life
[52:52] - Storing Up Treasures in Heaven
[53:53] - What is Worldly Wealth? Time, Talents, Treasures
[55:09] - Stewardship and Faithfulness
[01:00:03] - Practical Ways to Invest Eternally
[01:04:16] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[01:07:30] - Final Thanks and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Investing in What Matters Most
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### Bible Reading
- Luke 16:1-14 (Parable of the Shrewd Manager)
- Matthew 6:19-21 (“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…”)
- John 11:25-26 (“I am the resurrection and the life…”)
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### Observation Questions
1. In the parable Jesus tells in Luke 16, what actions does the manager take when he finds out he’s losing his job? What is the master’s response to these actions?
2. According to Matthew 6:19-21, what does Jesus say about where we should store our treasures?
3. In John 11:25-26, what does Jesus promise about life and death for those who believe in Him?
4. The sermon mentioned that everything we have is “on loan” from God. What examples did the pastor give of things that are not really ours? [53:53]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus commend the shrewdness of the manager in Luke 16, even though he was dishonest? What is the difference between being shrewd and being dishonest? [45:53]
2. The pastor said, “The end of our life is a myth… we are eternal beings.” How does this perspective change the way we think about our time, money, and talents? [51:59]
3. What does it mean to be a “steward” rather than an “owner” of our resources? How does this affect our daily decisions? [55:09]
4. The sermon talked about “investing in people” as the only thing we can take into eternity. Why do you think people are the focus of eternal investment, rather than possessions or achievements? [01:00:03]
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### Application Questions
1. The pastor shared stories of regret over past investments and missed opportunities. Is there a decision or investment in your own life that you wish you could change? How might God be inviting you to invest differently now? [35:57]
2. Jesus challenges us to use our resources “shrewdly” for God’s kingdom. What is one area of your life (time, money, skills) where you could be more intentional or strategic for God’s purposes? [45:53]
3. The sermon said, “Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ time or the ‘perfect’ amount—start now, with what you have.” What is one small step you could take this week to invest in someone or something that matters for eternity? [01:00:03]
4. The pastor encouraged us to be “participants, not mere attendees” in God’s work. In what ways are you currently participating, and where might you be more of an attendee? What would it look like to take a step toward participation? [01:00:03]
5. Think about your “sphere of influence.” Who is one person God has put in your path that you could invest in spiritually or relationally? What is one practical thing you could do for them this week? [01:00:03]
6. The sermon reminded us that “nothing we have is truly ours.” Is there something (a possession, a talent, your time) that you tend to hold onto tightly? What would it look like to offer that to God for His use? [53:53]
7. The pastor said, “Your earthly generosity has eternal consequences.” How does this truth challenge or encourage you in the way you give, serve, or use your resources? [55:09]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to thank God for trusting them with His resources and to ask for wisdom and courage to invest in what truly matters.
Devotional
Day 1: Invest in Eternal Things, Not Earthly Wealth
Jesus teaches that our investments should be focused on eternity, not just on accumulating wealth or possessions that will eventually fade away. The parable of the dishonest manager in Luke 16 reminds us that while earthly investments can be risky and temporary, investing in people and the kingdom of God has lasting, eternal consequences. We are called to use our resources—our time, talents, and treasures—to make a difference that will outlast our earthly lives. The world may tempt us to chase after "fool's gold," but God invites us to store up treasures in heaven, where they will never be lost or destroyed. [41:40]
Luke 16:1-14 (ESV)
He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. 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. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.
Reflection: What is one way you can use your resources today to invest in something that will have eternal value, rather than just temporary satisfaction?
Day 2: Where Your Treasure Is, There Your Heart Will Be
We are reminded that our hearts follow our investments—what we value most is where our attention, energy, and love will go. Jesus warns us not to store up treasures on earth, where they can be destroyed or stolen, but to store up treasures in heaven. The things we accumulate in this life—money, possessions, status—are not inherently bad, but they are not lasting. Instead, we are called to use what we have to bless others and to further God’s kingdom, knowing that our true riches are found in Christ and in the lives we touch for eternity. [52:52]
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Reflection: What is one possession or pursuit you are tempted to value too highly, and how can you intentionally shift your focus toward investing in God’s kingdom today?
Day 3: You Are a Manager, Not an Owner
Everything we have—our time, talents, and treasures—are gifts from God, entrusted to us to manage for His purposes. We are not the owners of our lives or our resources; God is. Our calling is to steward what He has given us faithfully, using it to serve others and to glorify Him. When we recognize that nothing truly belongs to us, it becomes easier to be generous and to invest in things that matter for eternity. Each day is an opportunity to manage God’s gifts well, knowing that our faithfulness in small things prepares us for greater things in His kingdom. [55:09]
1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to shift from an “owner” mindset to a “manager” mindset, and what practical step can you take today to steward God’s gifts more faithfully?
Day 4: Be a Participant, Not Just an Attendee
God calls us to be active participants in His kingdom, not just passive observers. It’s easy to attend church or events and watch others use their gifts, but God wants each of us to engage, serve, and share what He has given us. Whether it’s volunteering, leading, teaching, or simply encouraging someone, your participation matters. When you step out and use your gifts, you not only bless others but also experience the abundant life God has for you. Don’t settle for being a spectator—be a participant in what God is doing. [56:30]
Romans 12:4-6 (ESV)
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.
Reflection: What is one way you can move from attending to actively participating in your church or community this week?
Day 5: Invest in People—They Are Eternal
The only things we can take with us into eternity are the people whose lives we have touched for Christ. Our material possessions, achievements, and status will not follow us, but the impact we make on others will. God places people in our lives for a reason, and we may be the only Jesus they ever see. By investing our time, love, and resources into others, we help lead them toward eternal life and create a legacy that lasts forever. [01:00:03]
2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV)
And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
Reflection: Who is one person in your life right now that God is prompting you to invest in spiritually, and what is one step you can take today to encourage or share Christ with them?
Quotes
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