Faithful With God's Investment

“Faithful with God’s investment”

Matthew 25:14-30

Let’s say you’ve just inherited of $ 20 million dollars:

? and you decide you need a financial advisor.

? to help you properly invest your money.

So, you go down:

? to an investment company and

? you find they have a modest office

? with good but not expensive equipment.

The advisor is a nice person:

? dressed in a JC Penney suit and

? you think you can trust him.

? So, you place your funds in his care.

About a year later you get a letter:

o from the advisor telling you that

o You haven’t made any money yet.

You think that’s odd:

o so, you go down to his office…

o but you find he’s moved.

o You go to the new office and it’s a VERY impressive set of suites.

The office is tastefully decorated:

? and the equipment is top of the line.

? He comes out to meet you in a $2,000 Armani suit and

? his hair and nails have obviously been professionally done.

(illustration from Jeff Strite/Tony Evans)

Now – what are you going to think?

I know what I’d think…

? This man’s been using my money to make himself rich at my expense.

? He has been looking after his own interests.

? He is prospering at my expense.

And he’s not going to be my financial advisor anymore.

? I’m going to take my money away from him and

? give it to someone I can trust.

? someone that will have my interest in mind.

This year, as we look for opportunities:

- to be faithful to God

- for times when we can step out on faith

- and search for God’s leading

WE would like to see God:

- bless this Church

- for us to grow in every way

- to take new ground for God’s Kingdom

The first place we need to be faithful:

- with what God has already given to us

- faithful in fulfilling the tasks we know God has for us

Do you still dream that God:

- would do great things with Arlington Christian Church

- or are you content with how things are?

It is hard to imagine that God:

- would want to lead us to great things

- that require great faith

- if we are not faithful in the little things

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

- Luke 16:10

https://youtu.be/5YNbpB5OGes

Do you see yourself in any of the 3 servants?

- are you the one who is returning a profit to the Master?

- or are you the one who has buried their treasure and is

- neither multiplying nor adding something to the master’s wealth?

Think of God’s investment in us:

- He created us and has cared for us

- God saw each of us in pit of sin and death

- and through the cross of

Jesus provided a way of salvation for ALL who will come:

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Revelation 22:17 (KJV)

1. God makes investments in His servants. Matthew 25:14-18

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.

15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

16 “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more.

18 But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.”

Each of the servants was given something to manage:

- some are given more than others

- each according to their ability

- each is expected to make a profitable investment

In the same manner:

- God has distributed us with assets to manage

- each of us is expected to produce an increase

We have all been given something to work with:

- some more, so less

- some couldn’t come up with a nickel to save their life

- some could produce thousands at the drop of a hat

Certainly, what God gives and expects a return on:

- is not limited to finances