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Lesson: Time, Talent, Treasure

Author: Mark Stusek

Date: 2-17-2008

God has blessed each of us with three things: time, talent and treasure. How we use them will determine our present quality of life and eternity. Our time, talent and treasures are God-given gifts to each of us.

I. Time: What do we do with it?

Eph 5:15-17

1. We all get the same twenty-four hours in a day.

2. In reality, from the day we are born, we are living on "death row".

3. We all know there is an appointed time for death, but we don’t know the day God will call us home.

4. Time is like money: Once you spend it, it is gone.

5. God tells us "to make the most of our time", meaning we should take advantage of all the opportunities put before us.

Question: Aren’t we all busy?

Luke 12;18-21

6. We must remember to keep God in the mix of our time and plans. God called the rich man a fool because he was all about himself and not rich toward God.

7. Think God – think time – think plans. Billy Graham has been this country’s pastor for over sixty years, especially during the darkest moments. Each day at 7:00 am he reads five Psalms (relating to God) and one chapter of Proverbs (relating to people).

II. Talent: Romans 12:5-8; I Cor 12:5-11

1. We all have at least one gift God gave us to use for His purpose.

Question: What ability/gift has God given to you that not only serves you, blesses others and glorifies Him? (i.e. prophesy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giver, leadership, mercy, faith, miracles, tongues, discernment).

2. Don’t let fear hold you back from using your talent, as Moses did. Stretch yourself by taking that talent to a new level. What are you currently doing to stretch yourself?

I Peter 4:10

3. If we believe our gifts are only for our benefit and pleasure, we have missed the point. We are to use our talents and expand them to bless others!

4. Illustration: William "King" Solomon from Kentucky showed no fear; he lead by example by staying in the cemetery to bury the dead when others fled (cholera outbreak).

II. Treasures:

Question: Do you own your treasures? (i.e. car, house, savings account, vacation home, boat), or do they own you?

Recently, we learned that the average credit card debt of each person in the USA is $25,000.

Matthew 6:19-21

1. The problem is not having nice things. The problem is "possessing them", holding on too tight, like we ultimately own them.

2. This verse is not saying "don’t store up treasure on earth.". We can have a car, home, bank accounts. The issue is to not use it solely for yourself/earthly reasons. Attach it to heavenly and Godly purposes. (i.e. dedicate and glorify God with your home. Give it a heavenly purpose. Use it for fellowship, Bible study, serve unbelievers, and demonstrate God’s gift to you by the appearance of your home.

Summary: What has God given you your time, talent, and treasures for? You be the judge.

Read Psalm 76 – A roll call of masters.

Reference: "The Seven Secrets…" by John Hagee; Tony Evans ministries – February newsletter; Illustration by J. Michael Shannon