How Are You Investing?

Introduction

Money experts love to talk about investments—stocks, retirement, and compound interest. But long before Wall Street, Jesus told a story about investments. In Matthew 25:14–30, He gave the Parable of the Talents. In that story, a master entrusted his servants with resources before leaving on a journey. To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to the last, one. A “talent” in biblical times was a large sum of money, but the meaning goes deeper than finance. It represents gifts, opportunities, time, and influence.

When the master returned, he asked for an account. Two servants had multiplied what they were given. The master rewarded them with more and celebrated their faithfulness: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” But the third servant buried his talent out of fear and laziness. He produced nothing, and what he had was taken away.

This story isn’t just about money—it’s about how we handle everything God entrusts to us. Jesus uses this parable to challenge us with one central question: How are you investing your life?

Let’s walk through five lessons from this parable that will help us answer that question.

1. Recognize God’s Gifts

James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…”

The first lesson is simple yet powerful: everything you have comes from God. Your skills, your resources, your opportunities, even the very breath in your lungs—all of it is a gift. You didn’t earn them on your own. They were entrusted to you by the Master.

The parable says the master gave to each servant “according to his ability.” That means God gives to us with wisdom. He knows exactly what we can handle, and He equips us accordingly. Some receive more, some less, but everyone receives something.

But here’s the trap: instead of recognizing our gift, we often compare. We look at someone else’s opportunities, platform, or abilities and think, “If only I had what they have…” Yet comparison distracts us from stewardship. Saul compared himself to David and grew jealous. Joseph’s brothers compared themselves to him and sold him into slavery. Cain compared himself to Abel and chose violence. Comparison never produces faithfulness—it breeds bitterness.

Instead, God calls us to embrace what He’s entrusted to us. Solomon did this well. When God asked what he wanted, Solomon requested wisdom to lead God’s people (1 Kings 3). He didn’t chase someone else’s portion; he stewarded his own.

Application: Don’t waste your time measuring your gift against others. Your calling and season are too important. The question isn’t, “What do they have?” but “What will I do with what God has given me?”

Matthew 25:21 – “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things…”

When the master returned, he celebrated the servant with five talents and the servant with two equally. Notice that: one brought back ten, the other four, but both received the same commendation. Why? Because faithfulness is not measured by comparison—it’s measured by obedience.

We live in a culture that values size—bigger platforms, more followers, larger numbers. But God values faithfulness. He isn’t asking you to produce someone else’s harvest. He’s asking you to steward your portion.

Think about it: A mother faithfully discipling her children may never preach to thousands, yet she’s investing in eternal souls. A believer who quietly prays, serves their neighbor, or gives sacrificially may not make headlines, but heaven notices.

Jesus reminds us that when we are faithful with little, He entrusts us with more. The kingdom of God grows not through flashy talent but through consistent stewardship.

Application: Don’t despise small beginnings. Faithfulness in the little things prepares you for greater opportunities.

3. Faith Requires Action

James 2:17 – “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

The two faithful servants didn’t just protect their talents; they put them to work. They acted. Faith always requires movement. It’s not enough to say, “I believe God can use me.” Belief without obedience is empty.

Jesus wants us to be investors, not hoarders. That means sowing our time, energy, and gifts into kingdom purposes. Paul reminds us: “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed” (Ecclesiastes 11:6). In other words, keep moving, keep sowing, keep acting—you never know which investment will bear fruit.

Every day, you are given 1,440 minutes. That’s 1,440 opportunities to invest in prayer, in Scripture, in people, in service. How you invest your time says more about your faith than your words ever could.

Application: Ask yourself daily: Am I just believing, or am I moving? Faith grows when we step out, not when we sit back.

4. Don’t Bury What God Has Given You

1 Corinthians 4:2 – “It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”

The third servant in the parable buried his talent. Why? Fear. Insecurity. Laziness. Instead of investing, he hid. Instead of multiplying, he minimized.

And here’s the sobering truth: doing nothing with God’s gift is not neutral—it’s destructive. The servant didn’t just keep what he had; he lost it. Fear caused him to miss his purpose.

Fear says, “What if I fail?” Faith says, “What if God multiplies it?” Fear buries, but faith invests. Some of us are hiding gifts because we’re afraid of rejection or judgment. Others are sitting on opportunities, waiting for perfect conditions. But the kingdom never advances through buried potential.

Think of it this way: if you bury a seed, it grows. But if you bury a gift, it dies. God’s intention is always multiplication, never stagnation.

Application: What gift, calling, or opportunity are you burying? Don’t let fear silence what God has placed in you. Step out and trust Him to bring increase.

5. Invest with Eternity in Mind

Matthew 6:20 – “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

At the heart of this parable is eternity. The master wasn’t just interested in earthly profit; he was preparing to reward faithfulness. Jesus teaches that every act of obedience, every investment of time, every use of a gift has eternal weight.

But we have an enemy. Jesus said in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The enemy wants to steal your time, kill your faith, and destroy your eternal reward. He doesn’t mind if you live distracted, busy, or fearful—just as long as you don’t invest in eternity.

But when you pray, serve, give, and love faithfully, you’re making deposits into heaven’s bank. Life is not a playground; it’s a battleground. Every day is an opportunity to invest in treasure that moth and rust can’t touch.

Application: Live with eternity in mind. Don’t just chase comfort, fame, or earthly success. Ask yourself daily: Am I investing in something that will last forever?

Conclusion

The Parable of the Talents isn’t just a story—it’s a mirror. It forces us to ask: What am I doing with what God has given me?

• Are you recognizing your gifts or comparing them to others?

• Are you being faithful, even in the small things?

• Are you putting your faith into action daily?

• Are you burying your gift, or boldly investing it?

• Are you living for the temporary, or investing with eternity in mind?

When the Master returns, He won’t ask, “How much did you make?” He’ll ask, “Were you faithful?” May we all long to hear those words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

So I’ll ask you again: How are you investing your life?