PRINCIPLES FOR INVESTING YOUR LIFE MATT. 25:14-30
REFLECTION: I’ve spent a lot of time in Dr. Offices over these last few weeks. No matter which office I’m in (I’ve been in 6 or so) there are magazines that announce on their cover “Investment Strategies.”
DIRECTION: I’d like to focus this morning on some timeless investment strategies for Eternity. You see time is the only opportunity we will have to invest in eternity. We would consider a man foolish (or criminal) if he tried to withdraw funds from an account that he never made any deposits into. Many wait until retirement age before seriously considering a savings plan. (The ave. worker in US has over $1,500,000 pass through his hands during his lifetime.) In much the same way many of God’s people fail to use the resources God has provided to “Lay up treasure in heaven.”
Let’s look at seven principles about investing from Matthew 25:
1. POSSESSION: (OWNERSHIP): Vs 14, 20
A. God owns everything.
"The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." (Psa 24:1)
"And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (Luke 12:15)
2. DISTRIBUTION: ( STEWARDSHIP) Vs 15
A. God distributes His resources to His people:
1) Time:
The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power.
To tell just when the clock will stop, and late or early hour.
To loose one’s wealth is sad indeed, to loose one’s health is more.
To loose one’s soul is such a loss, as nothing can restore.
"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psa 90:12)
2) Treasure: Deut. 8:18 "But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth"
3) Talents: Ro. 12:6 "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us"
1 Peter 4:10 "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
4) Testimony: 2 Cor. 5:20 "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
3. OBLIGATION: (ACCOUNTABILITY) Vs 19
A. God will hold me accountable for how I use His resources.
“After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.” “reckoneth” to compute an account
“I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.” -- John D. Rockefeller
4. UTILIZATION: (INVESTMENT)
A. It is wrong for me to bury what God gave me.
1st man doubled his talents. (vs. 16) “Well done good and faithful servant” Vs. 21
2nd man doubled his talents. (vs. 17) “Well done good and faithful servant” Vs 23
3rd man buried his talents. (vs. 18) “Thou wicked and slothful servant” Vs 26
5. MOTIVATION: (FEAR OR FAITH) Vs 25
A. Fear of man keeps me from using my talent.
"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." (Prov 29:25)
B. Fear of God (Faith) motivates me to use my talent.
"Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences." (2 Cor 5:11)
6. APPLICATION: (OBEDIENCE)
> I must choose to let God use me! 2 Cor 6:1
"We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain”
> If I don’t use it, I’ll LOSE it! Vs 28,29
“Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath."
> Example of Israel: Haggai 1:4-9
Haggai 2:6,7 “Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.” (See also Mal. 3:8-11
7. COMPENSATION: (REWARDS) (vs. 23)
A. If I use my talent wisely, I will be rewarded.
> God’s retirement plan is out of this world!
“ His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.!”
CONCLUSION: How can we face His coming with confidence?
Accept (Trust) Him: 1 Jn. 2:1 "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"
Abide in Him: 1 John 2:28 (See John 15)
Obey Him: 1 John 3:21,22 “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. (1 Jn 5:1-4)
