#1521. God has invested in you (21/5/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Stewardship series.

As we wait for Jesus’ return, Jesus expects us to steward the talents that He has invested in us.

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

Stewardship is about using the good gifts that God gives us for our enjoyment and for His glory. Each of us has been entrusted with gifts and opportunities that we are called to steward faithfully.

What is often called The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 is both an encouraging and challenging parable on the theme of stewardship.

It is helpful to note that this parable is sandwiched between The Parable of the Ten Virgins and The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. All three share a common theme: how we are to live in this world while we wait for Jesus’ return. Each parable speaks of being awake, alert, and active in serving Jesus as we await His coming.

These parables do not teach different ways to be saved from judgment. We are not saved by watchfulness, stewardship, or acts of mercy. Rather, they describe the fruit and evidence of genuine faith.

A truly biblical understanding is that being watchful, being a faithful steward, and showing mercy are the marks of a true “sheep” - someone who has been born again through faith in Christ.

Today, I simply want us to note that true Christians will — though always imperfectly — seek to steward the “talents” that God has given them.

Secondly, we should notice that each servant received a different measure of talents “according to his ability.” This is wonderfully encouraging and freeing. You and I do not need to be jealous of others. Instead, we can faithfully pursue using the gifts and opportunities that God has given to us, without comparing ourselves with others.

Response

Jesus is compared to:

Are you and I alert to the reality that we are living in the last days and awaiting Jesus’ return?

Are we taking responsibility to steward the gifts, opportunities, and resources that Jesus has entrusted to each of us?

Are we comparing ourselves with others, or are we faithfully using what God has given to us?

This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of CCP; to watch our anniversary video, please select the link below:

Community Group Study

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we began our new series: 

Stewardship - A teaching series on how we are to use the good things that God gives to us.  

‘Steward’ translates the Greek ‘oikonómos’, which means to be a manager, trustee, a holder of a commission. 

Each of us have be entrusted with gifts and opportunities - time, talents, and treasures -  that are to be used in service for God. 

During this series, we will cover some vital areas of good stewardship: Gifts, Time, Money, Eternal Reward.

Please read 1 Peter 4:10-11and discuss:

• Personal Reflection – What inspired you, or what did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?

• How would you describe stewardship?

• What are the various things that God has given us to steward?

• What does our text teach about how we can remain faithful in our stewardship?

• What aspect of stewardship do you feel that you need to focus on? 

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• How does stewardship make us a light for Christ? 

• Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.

• Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?

Let’s pray together: 

• Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

• Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.

• Pray specifically for the “people of peace” in our lives—asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.