It’s no secret that many Americans, generally speaking, are struggling to manage their finances. Credit card debt alone has just surpassed the one trillion dollar mark ($1.079 to be exact!), and the number is growing every year. Over 55% percent of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. One-third of consumers say they aren’t currently saving any money, and most families don’t have enough to cover a $1,000 emergency expense. Jesus’ word today is an exhortation to steward (or manage) His resources wisely and experience His presence and promise to “enter into His joy.” Let’s discuss this topic with lots of grace and patience!  

Matthew 25:14-30

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

For Adult Homes, Groups, and Families with Kids

1. If you have ever stayed in someone else’s home, either as a guest or through an agency like Airbnb or VRBO, how did you think or feel about the property during your stay? Were you a little more fearful of breaking something or permanently doing damage? Why? 

2. Read Matthew 25:14-30. What is the “it” mentioned in verse 1? Who is the servant who goes away on a journey? Who are the servants or slaves? 

3. What does it mean to live as an “owner” versus a “steward” of the resources (gifts, talents, treasure) provided to us by God?

4. What is the value of a “talent” in our text? Does it surprise you to hear that the owner was leaving each servant with such a large sum of money (one talent = one hundred pounds of silver or gold)? See also Revelation 16:21 where a hundred pounds is the same word for “talent”. What significance might this have with how we view our responsibility as a servant and steward of Christ? 

5. How would you encourage someone to break the cycle of bad stewardship? Do you have examples from your own experience where you had to reverse the cycle? Where would you encourage a new believer to begin on their giving/generosity journey? 

6. Have someone in the group share about their giving journey. How important is it to shift from owner to manager, from a “have to” motivation to a “want to” motivation focused on God’s grace and love? 

7. Share prayer requests, and take some time to care!