Trusted Managers

    “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.  44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”  Matthew 24:42,44  (NIV)

       Everything we have belongs to the Lord.  He has the rights and I have the responsibility.  He is the master and I am the manager.  I am the servant; He is sovereign.  Our days are in His hands; our abilities and gifts are from Him.

Read: Matthew 25:14-30    Stewardship Lessons

1) v14  What We Have Is Not Ours

            Psalms 24:1  the earth is the Lord’s

            Haggai 2:8  silver and gold is His also

  • *  everything belongs to the Lord

2) v15  We Are Given What We Can Handle

  • *  a talent was used to indicate a large sum of money   ($100,000.)

  • *  it would take a lifetime to earn just one talent

  • *  notice each servant received talents “according to his ability”

  • *  you have what you have because God gave it to you

3) v16,17   We Must Invest What We’ve Been Given

  • *  two, “went at once”, put their money to work and gained more

      v18  this guy was a slacker and buried his blessing

  • *  it was one of the safest- and least profitable- things to do

  • *  our potential is God’s gift to us- what we do with it is our gift to Him

4)  v19  A Day of Accountability Is Coming

            Romans 14:11,12  we will have to give account of ourselves

  • *  the master would be returning and settle accounts with them

  • *  whatever your job, do the best of your ability for Him

            1 John 2:28   we do not want to be ashamed or embarrassed

5)  v20-25  What We Do With What We Have Reveals Our View

  • *  Behold- Look;  he was eager to show the master what he earned

  • * the master was thrilled with both of them because of their responsibility

  • * “Come share in your master’s happiness!”

            Luke 6:38   the reward will be abundant; affirmation & celebration

     v24,25   “I knew that...”  he was reluctant and afraid of the master

  • *  he made up his mind as soon as he was given the talent

  • *  we blame God when we end up burying our blessings

  • *  his fear paralyzed him and he was ineffective and “played it safe”

  • *  a faulty view of God can lead to excuses on our part

  • *  according to v28,  he lost everything!

  • * don't hold what you have; Invest it, develop it, multiply it; Do something

Are you determined to make a profit, or/ determined to not take a loss?