How to invest your life

By Rick Warren

 

If you were asked at the end of your life, “Was it worthwhile?” how would you measure it?
There are three ways you can live your life. You can waste it. You can spend it. Or you can invest it. We call those who waste their lives foolish. We call those who spend their lives average. We call those who invest their lives leaders.

Jesus uses one of his most famous parables – the Parable of the Talents – to help us learn how to be leaders, the kind of people who invest our life rather than waste or spend it. Here are seven principles to take from this parable that can help you invest your life in a way that counts.

1. The principle of ownership In the Parable of the Talents, the master represents God. He owns it all. He is the one who entrusts what he owns to his servants. Matthew 25:14 (NLT) says, “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.” It was his property to entrust.
   That’s the way it is with us as well. Everything we have really belongs to God. Since he made it all, he owns it all. Psalm 24:1a (NLT) says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” Everything we have is on loan from God – even your talents. You never really own anything. You just get to use it while you’re here. Whatever God has given you to help you do ministry, it isn’t really yours.
   If you’re going to invest your life in ministry, you’ve got to realize this before you can go any further.
   
   
2. The principle of allocation This story in Matthew is where we get the English word talent. It originally meant a unit of measurement. But this story has been told so much throughout the past 2,000 years that it has come to mean what we typically think of as talent. It can be anything God has entrusted to us – abilities, resources, opportunities, or whatever else you’ve been given.
   We’ve all been entrusted with different “talent.” Nobody is talentless. Pastor, to invest your life like God wants you to, you’ve got to acknowledge that he has given you certain abilities, opportunities, and resources that he hasn’t given others.
   
   
3. The principle of accountability The master expected the servants to use what he had given them. Matthew 25:19 (NLT) says, “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money.” One day God will settle accounts with you, too. He has made an investment in you, and he will want a return.
   God will ask you one day, “What did you do with what you were given?” You better be ready for that question! It’s the final exam question you need to study every day of the rest of your life.
   
   
4. The principle of utilization The parable also teaches that it’s wrong to bury your talents. God gives them for us to use. It’s a sin not to do so. The third servant in this story did just that. While the other two invested their gifts and doubled their master’s talents, the third buried his. He didn’t even get simple interest. He didn’t even try.
   Pastor, you can’t please God by playing it safe. Notice the master’s reaction. He said, “You lazy, wicked servant.” Most of us wouldn’t consider what the guy did as wicked. He didn’t do anything! But Jesus says that’s wicked. You can’t please God by playing it safe. You must take risks. Hebrews 11:6a (NLT) says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” If you don’t take risks, you don’t need faith.
   What risks have you taken with the talents God has given you? Remember, God would rather have you fall flat on your face for him in ministry than not even try.
   
   
5. The principle of motivation Fear kept the third servant from using his talent. He says in verse 26a, “I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth.” You and I don’t use our talents because of fear as well. Three types of fear keep us from being effective in ministry: self-doubt, self-pity, and self-consciousness. What do all three of those fears have in common? All mean that you’re focusing on “self.”
   Those dwelling in self-doubt refuse to risk failure. Those dwelling in self-pity feel hopeless and powerless to use what they’ve been given. Those dwelling in self-consciousness worry more about what other people will think of them than what their Creator might think. God doesn’t care about the mistakes you might make; the mistakes you have made; or what your family, friends, and peers think. He wants to know, “Will you use what I’ve given you to make a difference in the world?”
   Instead of lesser motivations, be motivated by the desire to glorify God through your ministry. It’s a better motivation than fear any day.
   
   
6. The principle of application The servant who didn’t use his talent lost it. In verse 28a the Bible says, “Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the 10 bags of silver.” That doesn’t sound fair to most of us. It sounds like he’s taking from the rich and giving to the poor. [kc: I think it's a typo and should be "It sounds like He's taking from the poor and giving to the rich"] But God has the right to take away anything that I don’t use to invest for him.
   One time I received a letter from a guy who took our membership class. He said, “I had it made. I had a company that had 1,200 percent profit in about four years, a 9,000 square foot home, nice cars…I wasn’t using it for the Lord, and I didn’t give him the glory, and I lost it all. I went through this period of depression, I found the church, and now God has shown me the answers. And I’m rebuilding my life.”
   If you don’t use what God has given you in the right way, you’ll lose it. It’s a universal principle. If you don’t use your muscles, you’ll lose them – that’s atrophy. We need to use our abilities and resources for God.
   
   
7. The principle of compensation If you use what God gives you wisely, you’ll be compensated. In verse 23 the master says, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!”
   The master rewarded the faithful servants through three ways: affirmation, promotion, and celebration. Those rewards are waiting for us when we use well what we’ve been given. As you’re faithful, God will affirm your ministry over and over again. Then, as these verses teach us, be ready for the greatest celebration you’ve ever experienced!
   

SADDLEBACK SAYINGS

“Never waste energy trying to be well-known. Today’s hero is tomorrow’s zero. Work on character and leave your reputation to God.” – Rick Warren

THE GRAND ILLUSION, SEDUCTION, AND REALITY

The Grand Illusion today is that those who thumb their nose at God, ignore his injunctions, and go after what they want, any way they want it, are the real winners in life.  Often they are the beautiful, gifted people who enjoy life’s privileged pleasures – all with seemingly painless ease.  And I, this struggling pilgrim of Christ, sweat it out making house payments, staying out of sin, raising my kids biblically, and living a life of integrity before God in my business affairs.  In a word, I try to color inside the lines. And often, I do it with little appreciation, recognition, or reward.  Asap, the Psalmist observes these seemingly free spirits, who appear to soar above us mortals:

·         “They seem to live such a painless life; their bodies are so healthy and strong.

·         They aren't troubled like other people or plagued with problems like everyone else.

·         They wear pride like a jeweled necklace, and their clothing is woven of cruelty.

·         These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!

·         They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.

·         They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth…Look at these arrogant people—enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.”  (Psa. 73:4-9,12 NLT)

 The Grand Seduction:  I have to admit that there are times when I am a bit envious of them!  Asap continues:

·         “Does God realize what is going on…Is the Most High even aware of what is happening?

·         Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong? All I get is trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.

• But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff!  My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
• Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen. I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.”  (Psa. 73:2,3, 21,22 NLT
  

The Grand Reality:  Asap concludes by putting it all in perspective:

• They are under God’s judgment: “So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then one day I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I thought about the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, swept away by terrors. Their present life is only a dream that is gone when they awake. When you arise, O Lord, you will make them vanish from this life…But those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.”   (Psa. 73:16-20,27 NLT

• God will lovingly guide me through my earthly sojourn: “Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand. You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever…But as for me, how good it is to be near God!  I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.”  (Psa. 73:23-26, 28 NLT)

PRAYER:  “Lord, amidst the crushing seductions and pressures of the world that would sweep me away into the mainstream of self-indulgence, grant me the grace to maintain your eternal perspective in order to remain true to you and the God-given convictions you have impressed upon my heart.  Whatever the cost.  Amen. “

My prayer is that you are having a great week!

R. Dwight Hill

Why does God allow pain?

By Rick Warren

Pastor, I bet if there’s one question you get more than any others, particularly when you’re ministering to people in times of crisis, it’s “Why does God allow pain?” I can’t count the times I’ve been asked that question. So when you’re asked that question, here are four answers you can give people.

1. God has given us free will.
   
   In Genesis we learn that we were made in the image of God. But how so? God gave us choice. We can choose to do what’s good or what’s evil, to accept God or reject him. Why did God give us that choice? He didn’t want a bunch of puppets. He didn’t have to do that. He could have forced us to worship, serve, and love him. But he wanted us to love him voluntarily. You can’t say you love somebody unless you have the opportunity to not love him.
   
   Free will isn’t only a blessing. Sometimes it’s a burden. Sometimes we make dumb choices. Those choices have all kinds of painful consequences in our lives. I can choose to experiment with drugs. If I get addicted, that’s my fault. I can choose to be sexually promiscuous. If I get a disease, that’s my fault. God doesn’t want us to have this kind of pain, but he allows us to face the consequences of our choices.
   
   Not only do we have free will, but everyone else does as well. Sometimes we get hurt because of other people’s bad choices. We’ve all been hurt by someone else at some point in life. You’ve probably asked yourself, “Why didn’t God prevent it?” He could have. He just would have needed to take away that person’s free will. But here’s the dilemma. He would have needed to take away yours as well!
   
   
2. God uses pain to get our attention.
   
   Pain is a warning light. It tells us something is wrong. Pain isn’t your problem. It’s a symptom. It’s God’s megaphone. As you’ve heard before, God whispers to us in our pleasure, but he shouts to us in our pain. Proverbs 20:30 says, “Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways.”
   
   A number of years ago I had a pair of shoes that I loved. They were made out of deerskin and were real soft and smooth. They were great! But after awhile, I got holes in the soles. Yet they still looked good on top. So I wore them anyway. I just had to be sure that when I sat on stage, I kept my feet on the ground. I wasn’t motivated to buy new shoes until there were seven days of rain in a row, and I had to put up with soggy shoes several days in a row. My wet feet motivated me to changed! Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 7:9, “I am glad not because it hurts you, but because the pain turns you to God.” Sometimes it takes pain to get us to do what God wants us to do.
   
   Remember the story of Jonah? Jonah was going one way and God said, “I want you to go the other way.” So he provided a typical Mediterranean cruise for him – a whale! And, at the bottom of the ocean, Jonah said, “When I had lost all hope I once again turned my thoughts to the Lord.” God uses pain to get our attention.
   
   
3. God uses pain to teach us to depend on him.
   
   You don’t know that God is all you need until God’s all you got. Paul says it this way in 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (TLB): “We were crushed and overwhelmed and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves but that was good for then we put everything into the hands of God who could save us and he did help us.”
   
   If you never had a problem, you’d never know God could solve it. God allows pain to teach you to depend on him. The Bible says in Psalm 119:71: “It was the best thing that could have happened to me for it taught me to pay attention to your laws.” The truth is, some things we only learn through pain. Depending on God is one of those things.
   
   
4. God allows pain to give me a ministry to others.
   
   Pain prepares you to serve. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT), “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” Everybody needs recovery of some type. Nobody’s perfect. Who can better help an alcoholic than somebody who has struggled with alcoholism? Who can better help somebody dealing with the pain of abuse than someone who was abused themselves? God wants to use and recycle the pain in our lives to help others, but we’ve got to be open and honest about it.
   
   God did this with Kay and me. The first three years of our marriage were really bad. I understand the guy who says he is miserable and wants out of marriage. I understand because I’ve been there! But through the help of a Christian counselor, Kay and I worked through those problems and now have a great marriage. A few years ago I did a Sunday morning sermon series on marriage where I talked about a different problem we worked through each week. It was a 12-week series, but it could have been 50. God uses your pain to help other people.

Imagine the army of ministers you could train in your congregation if you helped people use their past pain as an opportunity for ministry. God never wastes a hurt!

Later On

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. —Romans 8:18

It seems there are two kinds of people in this world: those who have an eternal perspective and those who are preoccupied with the present.

One is absorbed with the permanent; the other with the passing. One stores up treasure in heaven; the other accumulates it here on earth. One stays with a challenging marriage because this isn’t all there is; another looks for happiness in another mate, believing this life is all there is. One is willing to suffer poverty, hunger, indignity, and shame because of “the glory which shall be revealed” (Rom. 8:18); another believes that happiness is being rich and famous. It’s all a matter of perspective.

Abraham had an “other world” perspective. That’s what enabled him to give up a piece of well-watered land by the Jordan (Gen. 13). He knew that God had something better for him later on. The Lord told him to look in every direction as far as he could see and then said that his family would someday have it all. What a land grant! And God promised that his descendants would be as numerous “as the dust” (v.16).

That’s an outlook many people can’t understand. They go for all the gusto right now. But God’s people have another point of view. They know that God has something better later on!  — David H. Roper

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today. —Miller

Live for Jesus, and you’ll live for eternity.

Developing a plan to beat temptation

Simple yet useful questions to ask.

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By Rick Warren

Pastor, temptations can take down any one of us, at any time. We’re human. I’m guessing not a day goes by that a pastor doesn’t have his ministry implode because of falling to temptation. The people sitting in our worship services this weekend are just as vulnerable. The truth is, beating temptation requires a plan. You’ve heard the saying, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” That’s critically accurate for battling temptation. Each of us has unique patterns to how we live. You have a unique fingerprint, thumbprint, eye print, footprint, and voice print. Nobody’s heart has ever beat just like yours.

That’s true of you emotionally and spiritually too. Certain things tempt you more than other things. We may have similar temptations, but they come at us in different ways depending on our personality, background, and other factors.

For instance, I’ve never been tempted to smoke. It just hasn’t interested me. I can’t stand the smell. But food is a huge temptation for me. I like to eat!

We need to know our own pattern of temptation because the devil knows it. He knows what uniquely tempts you. Proverbs 5:6 says, “The immoral person does not care about the path of life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t even realize where it leads.” If you don't know your path of temptation, you’re headed for destruction.
To figure out what your temptation pattern is, ask yourself these five questions.

1. When am I most tempted?
   
   If you look carefully, you’ll notice that you are tempted on certain days more than others. For instance, on Monday morning when you go back to the office, you may be tempted to be frustrated, short- tempered, and irritated with people. On Friday you may be tempted to unwind from a tough week in a way you shouldn’t. And on Saturday morning you may be tempted to be lazy, waste time, or be irresponsible. What are you tempted to do – or not do –on different days of the week?
   
   You’re also tempted more at certain times of the day – and you need to know what those times of day are. Maybe you’re tempted in the later afternoon when your blood sugar is low and you’re irritable. Or you may be tempted whenever it’s late at night and everyone else is in bed.
   
   I can handle any diet until noon. I have great self-control until noon. But after lunch and after dinner, I’m a goner. I’m most tempted to overeat between 7:00 p.m. and midnight. I can eat more calories in snacks between 7:00 p.m. and midnight than I ate in breakfast, lunch, and dinner combined. It may be a different time for you, but you need to know it.
   
   
2. Where am I most tempted?
   
   Maybe you’re most tempted in a certain restaurant. Or you’re most tempted when you go to the local gas station and see a certain kind of magazine on the shelves. Or maybe you’re tempted when you’re in your neighbor’s house. If you know where you’re tempted, stay away. It’s that simple. If you don’t want to get stung, stay away from the bees. There’s no place you can go that’s more important than avoiding temptation.
   
   
3. Who am I with when I’m tempted?
   
   Some people are more tempted when they’re alone. They’re tempted when they think nobody is watching. Others are tempted when they’re with other people, usually certain people. They’re tempted when they’re out with “the guys” or “the girls.” Some people are the most tempted when they’re around strangers. They think, nobody knows who I am. I can do whatever I want. Others are tempted with family. You’ll act in certain ways with your family that you wouldn’t dare do in public.
   
   A good plan to stop temptation will take into account the people you’re with when you’re tempted. You may or may not be able to completely avoid those people, but you can make sure you’re ready for those situations. You can have friends pray for you when you’re in situations like that. And you can be on your guard.
   
   
4. What temporary benefits do I get when I give in?
   
   Sin always has a temporary payoff. You wouldn’t do it if it didn’t. If sin had the pain of a root canal, it wouldn’t be a problem. There’s pleasure in sin. The Bible says it’s fun. But the pleasure is short-term. When you sin, you’re trading short-term pleasure for long-term damage and destruction. It’s not a good deal.
   
   You've got to figure out what you’re getting when you give in to temptation. Why are you doing it? Sometimes you give in for comfort. Other times you give in to relieve stress. Some people are just looking for excitement. Ask yourself, “When I give in to temptation, do I feel more loved, accepted, or popular?” Then you need to look for healthy ways to get those kind of feelings.
   
   
5. How do I feel right before I’m tempted?
   
   You need to know your emotional triggers. Maybe you get so frustrated that you don’t know what to do and you give in to temptation. Maybe you get mad and that leads to your temptation. Know the emotions that make you vulnerable to temptations. There are good and bad ways to deal with any emotion. Learn some of the good ways to deal with your problem emotions.

Four ways pastoring today is different than 30 years ago

Times are a-changing.

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By Margaret Feinberg

Over the last 30 years, the job descriptions for pastors have shifted. While preaching and teaching are still standards for most pastors, some church leaders are discovering that their roles are evolving as the expectations and needs of their congregations change. What is different about younger evangelical pastors today than a generation before them? Here are a few trends to consider:

Use of technology
One of the biggest shifts is the use of technology. With the age of the Internet, pastors found themselves with a whole new world in which to communicate with their congregations, share their messages, and interact with their world. Today, many pastors use email, Twitter, blogging, and Facebook as tools for pastoring.
A pastor in Denver, Colorado, describes Facebook and Myspace as an effective way to keep up with members of his church. On a Sunday morning, he may ask a member how they’re doing. They’ll claim everything is great, but Facebook will reveal a completely different story. Because the pastor is friends on Facebook, he has the ability to bring up the issue online and in person. The idea of virtual pastoring is becoming more prevalent.

A community of believers
Another trend that is emerging in many churches is a shift from a monologue to a dialogue approach to leadership. Rather than a single person taking the pulpit and carrying the responsibilities, communities are developing a more inclusive and experiential fellowship where the church body responds as a body. Often this translates into a team approach to leadership and fulfilling the roles – pastor, teacher, prophet – of a church.
Within this setting, some pastors of even large congregations are finding themselves as connectors. They are constantly raising up new believers, encouraging active participation, and engaging members to serve and worship as followers of Jesus. This dedication to building a community of believers may mean that a pastor recommends a particular counselor rather than trying to counsel individuals himself. As a result, the pastor can encourage members to pursue their passions and develop the gifts God has given them.

Entrepreneurial hat
A number of young pastors describe themselves as wearing an entrepreneurial hat. They recognize that some of the things that were working in the church are no longer, and they’re committed to developing new approaches, practices, and tactics. They’re willing to take risks, try new things, and think outside the box in the way they share the gospel and build community.
Innovation is a hallmark of many pastors wearing the entrepreneurial hat. Whether growing a network of multi-site churches, planting a new church in an under-reached area, or using technology to draw people into the church, they are willing to go where others haven’t gone before in order to reach those who haven’t heard the Gospel before.

Spiritual shopping
One of the challenges that is emerging with young pastors is the spiritual shopping of many believers and seekers. Because of the high mobility of our culture, people are constantly on the move. The idea of living in the same town, let alone the same area of town, is becoming a foreign concept for millions. Meanwhile, the consumerism found throughout our culture is seeping into the church.
Christians are becoming choosy about church and their spiritual shopping sprees are challenging for church leaders. If a church isn’t meeting a person’s needs, they’re likely to leave and simply keep on shopping. Or if a person is challenged in an area where they need to grow, they may opt for the easy solution: switch churches. The result is that many pastors are struggling to keep church members long enough to grow them into disciples of Christ.