Investing in Eternity: Time, Talents, and Treasures

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

• 1. 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]
• 2. 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]
• 3. 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]
• 4. 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]
• 5. 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. [60:03]

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
• [60:03] - Practical Ways to Invest Eternally
• [64:16] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
• [67:30] - Final Thanks and Dismissal

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]

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]

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]