Psalm 24:1 (KJV)”The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein”.

Psalm 24:1 (NKJV) “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein”.

In this world (the earth), there are three resources that God has entrusted each person to steward and manage.

• Time & management
• Utilizing your Talent in God’s kingdom
• Treasure and God’s Kingdom

1. Time & Management

Psalm 139:16 tells that TIME is a gift from God, and none of us know how much of it we are allotted. Only God knows how much time each of us has on this earth.

Psalm 139:16 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition – AMPC) says, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them”.

Redeeming Time:  Ephesians 5:15-17 (NKJV)

 Walking in Wisdom

¹⁵ See then that you walk ^[a]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

“Redeeming time” is an expression that means to make the best use of the time you have. It can also refer to making up for lost time or opportunities.

When God says we should be “redeeming the time,” He is saying that He wants for us to live in constant awareness that the clock is ticking and we need to make the most of the time that we have.

Other interpretations

• It can be interpreted as a call to live wisely and use every opportunity to glorify God.
• It can also be interpreted as a call to live faithfully in anticipation of Christ’s return.

In John 9:4, Jesus taught His disciples the necessity of redeeming the time: “I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work”. Jesus was diligent about keeping to His mission.

 How to redeem time:

1. By being productive and engaging in Kingdom enjoyable activities,
2. By avoiding harmful activities,
3. By making plans that align with God’s will,
4. By being led by the Spirit in your decision making.

Distractions were as prevalent then as they are now, but He let none of them deter Him from preaching and teaching God’s Word. That was why He had come (Luke 4:43). Though He spent only 33 years on this earth, Jesus changed the world forever because He redeemed the time.

Every day, we make decisions positively or negatively that may impact us, our communities and even nations for eternity.

2. Talent and Management

A God-given talent is a natural skill or aptitude that is unique to you and that you can use to serve others. The Bible teaches that God has given everyone unique talents and gifts.

Matthew 25:14-30 tells the story of the Parable of the Talents, which is about a master who gives his servants talents based on their abilities. The parable illustrates the idea that God gives people unique talents and gifts.

Matthew 25:14-30 (KJV)

¹⁴ For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

¹⁵ And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

¹⁶ Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

¹⁷ And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

¹⁸ But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

¹⁹ After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

²⁰ And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

²¹ His lord said unto him, Well done, thou 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.

Understanding of the Parable in Matthew 25:14-21

1. A master entrusts his property to his servants before traveling
2. The master gives each servant a different number of talents based on their ability
3. One servant trades his talents and makes five more
4. Another servant trades and breaks even (makes two)
5. A third servant hides the master’s money in the ground
6. After a long time, the master returns and settles accounts with his servants
7. The Lords acknowledges and rewards the one that had made profit

God has given everyone a talent and how one utilizes their God given talent / gifts determines their increase in God’s Kingdom

How do you discover your God given talents?

• Consider what you enjoy doing most
• Think about what you do well
• Ask yourself what tasks you enjoy tackling most
• Think about your biggest character strengths
• Has any man of God told you or shared what they see in you? If yes – what is it. God may be calling you in that field.

How to use your God-given talents

• Use your talents to serve other people both in God’s house and outside in the communities
• Use your talents to share God’s love especially in the marketplaces
• Use your talents to provide encouragement to others with similar gifts or talents

3. Treasure and Management

To steward the resources effectively, one needs to manage each resource with a mindset of responsibility and care, prioritizing their use for the purpose of furthering God’s Kingdom.

One must recognize and accept the fact that everything ultimately belongs to God, and you are simply a caretaker.

The Biblical guide to manage / steward your God given resources:

• Make wise decisions. Make decisions based on what aligns with God’s purpose and values, not just personal desires.
• Be generous. Share your resources, time, and talents freely with others in need, reflecting God’s love.
• Align your actions with biblical principles. Acknowledge that you are not the owner of anything, but rather a manager of what God has provided.
• Be responsible with your finances. Practice wise budgeting, avoid unnecessary debt, and allocate funds to support Kingdom work.
• Utilize your talents effectively: Identify your gifts and abilities and actively use them to serve others and build up the church.
• Become accountable: Regularly assess your stewardship practices and seek feedback from trusted leaders to ensure you are using resources effectively.