Stewarding Our Gifts - Pastor Alois Pauls

Work is a gift from God, woven into our very design. There’s a deep satisfaction in using our hands, our minds, and our energy to create, build, and serve. Yet, as followers of Jesus, we must remember that our work is not just about what we accomplish in this world, but about how we engage in the work of God’s kingdom. It’s easy to hide behind busyness, pouring ourselves into projects, jobs, and even good deeds, while neglecting the spiritual work God calls us to—serving, loving, and building up His people.

Jesus’ parable in Luke 19 reminds us that after salvation, we are entrusted with gifts, opportunities, and resources. Each of us receives a “mina”—not the same as the world’s talents or wealth, but unique spiritual gifts and opportunities to serve. The nobleman in the story (representing Jesus) doesn’t give detailed instructions; instead, he simply says, “Do business until I come.” This lack of specifics can leave us feeling stuck, unsure of what to do next. But the call is clear: engage with what God has already given and revealed. The light is green until God turns it red. We are free to move, to serve, to try, and to risk, trusting that God will guide and redirect as needed.

Fear, comparison, and a victim mentality can paralyze us. We may feel unqualified, insignificant, or afraid of losing what we have. Sometimes, we even blame God or others for our lack of action. But God calls us to faithfulness, not perfection. Even the smallest act—like offering a cup of water—matters in His kingdom. Our motivation must be love for Jesus, not duty, recognition, or fear. When we serve with gladness, God multiplies our efforts and rewards us, not just individually, but as a body. We are not alone; we are members of one another, called to encourage, support, and rejoice together.

God is not limited by our abilities or our understanding of our gifts. He delights in using what we offer, however small, and He often does more through us than we could imagine. The work we do for His glory—whether seen or unseen—has eternal significance. So let’s move forward, using what we have, serving with joy, and trusting that God will bring the increase.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Light Is Green Until It’s Red God has already given us His Word, His Spirit, and His command to serve. Too often, we wait for a special sign or perfect clarity before moving, but the call is to step out in faith and engage with what we know. As we move, God will guide, redirect, or stop us if needed. Freedom in Christ means we are not paralyzed by fear of making mistakes, but empowered to act for His kingdom. [46:03]
• 2. Faithfulness in Small Things Matters No act of service is insignificant in God’s eyes. Whether it’s a small task or a hidden act of kindness, God sees and rewards faithfulness. Our culture may value big achievements, but in the kingdom, even a cup of water given in Jesus’ name is precious. The measure is not the size of the gift, but the heart behind it. [55:16]
• 3. Reject Comparison and Victimhood Comparing our gifts or results to others leads to pride or discouragement, and blaming others or our circumstances keeps us stuck. God calls us to take responsibility for what He’s given us, to serve with what we have, and to trust Him for the outcome. Healing and freedom come when we stop blaming and start offering ourselves to God, regardless of our past or limitations. [57:05]
• 4. We Serve Together as One Body We are not meant to serve alone. God has placed us in a body, with different gifts and roles, so that we can encourage, support, and rejoice with one another. Our individual efforts are multiplied when we work together, and God’s rewards are shared among His people. The church is a place to discover, develop, and deploy our gifts for the good of all. [65:44]
• 5. Motivation: Serve for God’s Glory, Not Recognition The heart behind our service matters more than the task itself. If we serve for recognition, duty, or self-justification, our reward is fleeting. But when we serve out of love for Jesus, even the smallest act is eternally significant. God is glorified when we offer ourselves willingly, trusting Him to use and multiply our efforts. [56:06]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [36:07] - Introduction: Created for Work
• [37:02] - Building the Two-Shed: Joy in Labor
• [38:37] - The Danger of Hiding Behind Busyness
• [39:43] - Spiritual Work and Eternal Rewards
• [40:19] - Zacchaeus: Evidence of Transformation
• [41:09] - The Parable of the Minas
• [42:22] - Understanding Slavery and Servanthood
• [43:11] - Gifts, Talents, and God’s Trust
• [44:40] - When You Don’t Know What to Do
• [45:53] - The Light Is Green Until It’s Red
• [47:58] - Rejecting the Reign of Christ
• [49:38] - The Return and Judgment
• [51:18] - Using Your Gifts: No Excuses
• [53:18] - Willingness Over Qualification
• [55:16] - Faithfulness in Little Things
• [57:05] - Comparison, Reward, and Unity
• [58:42] - Fear, Victimhood, and Hiding Gifts
• [62:10] - Serving God, Not People
• [65:44] - One Body, Many Gifts
• [68:35] - All Work for the Lord
• [69:41] - Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Luke 19:11-27 (ESV) – The Parable of the Ten Minas —
> 11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”

Observation Questions

1. In the parable, what does the nobleman (Jesus) give to each servant, and what instructions does he provide? (Luke 19:13)
2. How do the three servants respond differently to what they were given, and what are the results of their actions? (Luke 19:16-24)
3. According to the sermon, what does the “mina” represent for us as followers of Jesus? [43:11]
4. What reasons does the third servant give for not using his mina, and how does the nobleman respond to him? (Luke 19:20-23)

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus doesn’t give detailed instructions to the servants about what to do with their minas? What does this teach us about following God’s will when we don’t have all the answers? [44:03]
2. The sermon says, “The light is green until it’s red.” What does this mean for how we approach serving God and making decisions? [46:03]
3. The nobleman rewards faithfulness in “very little things.” Why do you think small acts of service matter so much in God’s kingdom? [55:16]
4. The sermon warns against comparison and a victim mentality. How can these attitudes keep someone from using their gifts for God? [57:05]

Application Questions

1. The sermon talks about hiding behind busyness and neglecting spiritual work. Is there an area of your life where you might be “busy” but not really engaging in the work God is calling you to? What would it look like to shift your focus? [39:11]
2. “The light is green until it’s red”—are you waiting for a special sign or perfect clarity before serving or stepping out? What is one area where you could move forward in faith this week, trusting God to guide or redirect you if needed? [46:03]
3. Think about the “mina” God has given you—your gifts, opportunities, or resources. What is one small way you could use what you have to serve others or build up the church this month? [43:11]
4. Have you ever felt unqualified, insignificant, or afraid to serve? What specific fear or comparison holds you back, and how could you take a step to overcome it? [59:04]
5. The sermon says even a cup of water given in Jesus’ name is precious. What is a “small” act of service you could do this week that might seem insignificant to others but is valuable in God’s eyes? [55:16]
6. Are you tempted to compare your gifts or results to others, or to blame circumstances or people for not serving? How can you take responsibility for what God has given you and move forward? [57:05]
7. The sermon reminds us that we serve together as one body. Who in your church or small group could you encourage, support, or partner with in serving God’s kingdom? What is one practical way you could do this? [01:05:44]