Wisdom and Stewardship: Managing God’s Gifts Faithfully

Devotional

Day 1: The Dangers of Wasting God’s Resources

The story of the prodigal son reminds us that squandering the resources entrusted to us leads not only to material loss but also to spiritual emptiness and regret. The younger son’s desire for instant gratification caused him to waste his inheritance, leaving him with nothing and longing for even the bare minimum. This narrative challenges us to reflect on our own habits—how often do we let money slip through our fingers, spending impulsively and forgetting the greater purpose for which we have been blessed? God calls us to be mindful stewards, resisting the urge to waste what has been given and instead using our resources with intention and gratitude. [01:17]

Luke 15:11-13 (ESV)
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.”

Reflection: What is one area of your spending where you tend to act impulsively? How can you pause and seek God’s wisdom before making your next financial decision?

Day 2: Wisdom and Diligence Lead to Lasting Provision

Proverbs teaches that careful planning and diligence result in profit, while haste and impulsiveness lead to loss. The wise person preserves their resources, while the fool consumes everything without thought for the future. This ancient wisdom is as relevant today as ever, especially in a culture that encourages instant gratification and constant consumption. By slowing down, making thoughtful plans, and resisting the urge to spend impulsively, we honor God’s gifts and ensure that our resources are used for good and lasting purposes. [02:02]

Proverbs 21:5, 20 (ESV)
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to plan your spending or save for the future, rather than acting on impulse?

Day 3: Our Purpose Is to Care for God’s Creation

We are created in God’s image not to be mere consumers, but to be caretakers of God’s creation—using our money and possessions to serve our families, help others, and further God’s work in the world. When we are clear about our calling and purpose, our financial decisions become clearer, and we are less likely to waste what we have. Instead of letting society define our worth by what we consume, we are invited to set goals that align with God’s greater purposes, using our resources to make a meaningful difference. [07:47]

Genesis 1:27-28 (ESV)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Reflection: What is one way you can use your resources this week to care for someone else or support God’s work in your community?

Day 4: Give Generously and Set Aside God’s Portion First

God calls us to give generously and sacrificially, setting aside a portion of our resources for God’s work before tending to our own needs and wants. The biblical principle of tithing—giving the first fruits, not the leftovers—reminds us that generosity is an act of trust and gratitude. When we prioritize giving, we acknowledge that all we have comes from God, and we open ourselves to being used as instruments of blessing in the world. Even if the amount we give varies according to our circumstances, the act of planning and setting aside God’s portion first is a vital spiritual discipline. [10:14]

Malachi 3:10 (ESV)
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Reflection: Before you spend or save anything this month, can you prayerfully decide what portion to set aside for God’s work—and make that your first priority?

Day 5: Faithful Stewardship Means Taking Wise Risks for God

Jesus’ parable of the talents teaches that God entrusts us with resources and expects us to use them wisely—not by hiding them away in fear, but by investing them courageously for God’s purposes. Faithful stewardship involves taking thoughtful risks, seeking to grow what God has given us, and returning a greater blessing to God and others. Just as God took a risk in creating and investing in us, we are called to step out in faith, using our gifts and resources to create, serve, and make a difference in the world. [14:42]

Matthew 25:14-18 (ESV)
“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.”

Reflection: What is one gift, resource, or opportunity God has given you that you have been hesitant to use? How might you take a step of faith this week to invest it for God’s kingdom?

Sermon Summary

God has entrusted each of us with abundant resources—money, time, and talents—and calls us to steward them with wisdom and purpose. Reflecting on the story of the prodigal son, it becomes clear that the heart of the issue is not just wandering away, but the wastefulness of the resources given. Many of us can relate to the temptation of instant gratification, especially in a culture that encourages us to spend impulsively and even go into debt to satisfy our desires. The wisdom of Proverbs reminds us that diligence and planning lead to profit, while haste and impulsiveness result in loss.

Practical steps can help us resist the pull of wastefulness: making a list before shopping, waiting before making purchases, and choosing to eat at home rather than out. These habits not only save money but also align our lives with healthier, more intentional living. Yet, the deeper question is about our purpose—are we living as mere consumers, or as caretakers of God’s creation? The world tells us our value is in what we buy, but God’s Word calls us to use our resources to care for our families, serve others, and further God’s work in the world.

Setting aside a portion of our income for God’s purposes—traditionally a tithe—reminds us that all we have is a gift from God. Giving generously and sacrificially is not about a fixed percentage, but about intentional, prayerful planning with God. If we don’t set aside God’s portion first, life’s unexpected expenses can easily consume what was meant for God’s work. Creating a budget, simplifying our lifestyle, building an emergency fund, paying off debt, and saving for the future are all ways to honor God with our finances.

Jesus’ parable of the talents challenges us not to play it safe, but to take risks and invest what God has given us for greater good. God took a risk in creating us and entrusting us with resources. We are called to use wisdom, creativity, and courage to multiply what we’ve been given, returning it to God with gratitude and joy. Our stewardship is not just about avoiding waste, but about embracing our calling to care for God’s creation and invest in God’s kingdom.

Key Takeaways

1. Wastefulness is a Spiritual Issue, Not Just a Financial One The prodigal son’s story highlights that squandering resources is not just about poor financial choices, but about a deeper disconnect from our purpose and calling. When we lose sight of why we have been entrusted with resources, we are more likely to waste them on fleeting desires rather than invest them in what truly matters. Recognizing wastefulness as a spiritual issue invites us to seek God’s wisdom for every decision, big or small. [02:49]
2. Intentional Habits Guard Against Impulse and Waste Simple practices—like shopping with a list, waiting before making purchases, and eating at home—help us resist the culture of instant gratification. These habits are not just about saving money, but about cultivating self-control and mindfulness, which are fruits of the Spirit. By slowing down and planning ahead, we create space to discern God’s will for our resources. [04:16]
3. Our Purpose Shapes Our Spending When we are clear about our God-given purpose—to care for creation, serve others, and honor God—our financial decisions become clearer. The world tells us our worth is in what we consume, but God calls us to invest in relationships, community, and mission. Aligning our spending with our calling reduces waste and increases our impact for God’s kingdom. [06:22]
4. Firstfruits Giving Reflects Trust and Priority Setting aside God’s portion first—before any other expenses—demonstrates trust in God’s provision and prioritizes God’s work in our lives. Whether it’s a tithe or another amount prayerfully discerned, giving first prevents life’s demands from crowding out generosity. This practice shapes our hearts to be open-handed and grateful, rather than anxious and self-protective. [09:29]
5. God Invites Us to Take Faithful Risks with Our Resources The parable of the talents teaches that God expects us to invest, create, and take risks with what we’ve been given, not just to preserve it. Playing it safe out of fear misses the opportunity to multiply God’s blessings for others. Faithful stewardship means using wisdom and courage to grow God’s investment in us, trusting that God delights in our creativity and faithfulness.

** [14:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:38] - The Role of Money in Our Lives
[01:17] - The Prodigal Son: A Story of Waste
[02:02] - Wisdom from Proverbs
[02:49] - The True Meaning of “Prodigal”
[03:35] - Instant Gratification and Financial Habits
[04:16] - Tips to Avoid Impulse Spending
[05:42] - Eating Out vs. Eating at Home
[06:22] - Purpose and Calling in Resource Use
[07:05] - Society’s Message vs. God’s Calling
[08:28] - Practical Financial Planning
[09:29] - The Principle of Firstfruits Giving
[11:30] - Budgeting and Simplifying Lifestyle
[12:35] - The Parable of the Talents
[14:42] - Taking Risks and Investing for God
[16:36] - Closing and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 15:11-14 (ESV) – The Prodigal Son — And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.”

Proverbs 21:5, 20 (ESV) — The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

Matthew 25:14-30 (ESV) – The Parable of the Talents — (You may summarize or read the full passage as a group.)

Observation Questions

In the story of the prodigal son, what did the younger son do with his inheritance, and what was the result? (Luke 15:13-14)
According to Proverbs 21:5, what is the difference between the diligent and the hasty when it comes to resources?
In the parable of the talents, what did the master expect his servants to do with what he gave them? (Matthew 25:14-30)
What are some practical habits mentioned in the sermon that help us avoid wastefulness? [04:16]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that wastefulness is not just a financial issue, but a spiritual one. Why might squandering resources reflect a deeper disconnect from our purpose? [02:49]
How does the culture of instant gratification affect our ability to steward what God has given us? [03:35]
What does it mean to give God the “firstfruits” of our income, and how does this practice shape our hearts? [09:29]
In the parable of the talents, why do you think the master was disappointed with the servant who played it safe? What does this say about God’s expectations for us? [14:42]

Application Questions

The sermon suggests making a list before shopping and waiting before making purchases. Is there a specific area in your life where you tend to spend impulsively? What is one step you could take this week to practice more intentional spending? [04:16]
When you think about your own resources—money, time, or talents—do you see yourself more as a consumer or a caretaker? What would it look like to shift your mindset toward being a caretaker of God’s creation? [06:22]
The idea of “firstfruits” giving means setting aside God’s portion before anything else. What challenges do you face in giving to God first, and how might you address them? [09:29]
The sermon talks about creating a budget, simplifying your lifestyle, and building an emergency fund. Which of these steps feels most needed in your life right now, and what’s one action you could take to move forward? [11:30]
Jesus’ parable of the talents encourages us to take risks and invest what God has given us. Is there a gift, resource, or opportunity in your life that you have been “burying” out of fear or uncertainty? What would it look like to take a faithful risk with it? [14:42]
The world often tells us our value is in what we buy or own. How do you remind yourself that your worth comes from God, not your possessions? Are there any habits or practices that help you keep this perspective? [07:05]
Think about a recent financial or resource-related decision you made. Did you invite God into that decision? If not, how could you make prayer and discernment a regular part of your decision-making process? [02:49]

Sermon Clips

One of the things for us to think about as we think about whether we are wasting the resources that we have been given in our lives is what is our purpose and calling in life. When we are really clear about why we are here and what we are meant to be doing with our life, as well as our time and our financial resources, it is more clear what we should be spending our money and our time on so there is less waste. [00:06:22] (33 seconds) #PurposeDrivenSpending

God gives us resources in our lives, but God also makes it clear that God wants us to share a portion of our resources. Now, traditionally in the Old Testament, the portion that God asked for was the tithe, which is 10%. So I've got 10 apples here. So God is saying, set aside one apple for the needs of others, for God's work in the world. The other nine apples are ours to do with as we wish, but we set aside one apple according to what God asked from us. [00:09:26] (37 seconds) #GenerousGivingJourney

Establishing an emergency fund makes sure we don't have to tap into God's money in order to pay for those unexpected expenses when they come up. Pay off our debt, especially credit cards. Make sure that we are living wisely and not wasting money through interest payments. And finally, practice long-term savings and investment. So that we always have the resources we need to both serve God and our neighbors and meet our own needs. [00:11:49] (33 seconds)

Now when I think about the wisdom of these financial practices, which are in alignment with those wise sayings that we read from Proverbs, and also would really help the prodigal son when he got that windfall of his inheritance so that he wouldn't have squandered it away, but I'm also reminded of another story Jesus told. [00:12:22] (25 seconds)

If God gave you money, what would you do with it? Would you spend it on yourself? Would you go and get the thing you most want today? Would you invest it? Would you invest it? Would you invest it in something safe and secure? Would you take a risk? Would you try to do something bigger? Would you create? Would you take a risk and create something new? [00:15:36] (34 seconds)

We are made in God's image. God took a risk when he created the universe. God took a risk when he created humans. God's taken a risk and invested in every one of us. But. God has still given us wisdom to use God's investment well. [00:16:10] (21 seconds)

God was gracefully willing to invest in order to get a return on his investment from a person in need. Amen. in God's work in the world, and return a greater amount as a thank you to God for trusting us and giving us a chance. Let's see what we can do as we care for God's creation. Amen. [00:16:31] (44 seconds)

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