TimeIt’s been said the one thing we can give to God is our

time.

If there is a struggle in my life, one of the greatest is how to invest my time, day-to-day.

TimeEvery one of us faces constant choices as to how to

invest our lives.

What drives your choices?

TimeWhat can be worse than ending your life and finding

you’ve wasted it?

The Bible gives us guidance on making the right choices.

Does Life Have You Up a Tree? – Lk. 19:1-3

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector.

Possibly the wealthiest man in town.

He was feared and hated.

Does Life Have You Up a Tree? – Lk. 19:1-3

He was short of stature…

But he had a lot of power…

And an interest in Jesus.

Does Life Have You Up a Tree? – Lk. 19:5-7

Jesus also had an interest in Zacchaeus.

His interest did not sit well with the people who knew the kind of person Jesus was associating with.

But, Zacchaeus’ reaction says it all.

Does Life Have You Up a Tree? – Lk. 19:8-10

The efforts of Jesus bore fruit.

Zacchaeus came to believe in Christ.Galatians 3:7

Does Life Have You Up a Tree? – Lk. 19:8-10

As an act of gratitude, Zacchaeus gave up a good deal of money, power, and influence in his city.

But, Jesus is about to explain that the power he gave up in this one city can lead to greater power in ten.

Does Life Have You Up a Tree? – Lk. 19:8-10

The reality is that God created man to exercise power!Gen. 1:26

Psalm 8 with Heb. 2:5-10The Son leads the many sons to glory!

Does Life Have You Up a Tree? – Lk. 19:8-10

Humanity’s desire for power is not wrong.

What may be wrong is our focus; how and why we seek it or how we use it.

Matt. 20:20-28

How are your investments? – Lk. 19:11-14

Context = anticipation of the Kingdom

“Nobleman” = Jesus

“Minas” = (lit.) Three months of labor = Potential

“His citizens” = Israel

How are your investments? – Lk. 19:15-19

“How have you used your potential?”

Regardless of differences in aptitude and circumstances, we can all invest our lives to its full

potential.

How do we use what is given us?

Servant #1 – Lk. 19:16-17

The Judgment Seat - 2 Cor. 5:10

1,000 % return!

Servant #1 – Lk. 19:16-17

Result?

Well done!

Rule in ten cities!

Servant #2 – Lk. 19:18-19

Not as successful; no “Well done!”

However, no reproof and significant reward!

Five cities!

Servant #3 – Lk. 19:20-25

Notice that his failure is directly linked to his theology, his perception of what God is like.

It is wrong!

Our theology is practical and affects our lives.

Servant #3 – Lk. 19:20-25

He is called a “servant”, albeit a “wicked” one.

Believers can be and sometimes are wicked.

Believers can and do waste their lives.

Servant #3 – Lk. 19:20-25

If he truly believed what he said, he should have been more productive; the excuse is invalid!

Even fear is one legitimate motivation!2 Cor. 5:11; 1 Peter 2:17

Servant #3 – Lk. 19:20-25

In this public announcement of shame (1 John 2:28), the servant had wasted his opportunity to build his

future.

Servant #3 – Lk. 19:20-25

Are you wasting your life?Mark 8:34-35; also Mt. 16:24-25; Lk. 9:23-24;

John 12:25

Servant #3 – Lk. 19:20-25

“To save the soul” = “To preserve the life”Gen. 19:17; 32:30; 1 Sam. 19:11; Job 33:28; Ps. 31:7;

72:13; 109:31; Jer. 48:6

Servant #3 – Lk. 19:20-25

We can lose our lives from an earthly perspective and lose them, or waste them, from an eternal

perspective.

Servant #3 – Lk. 19:20-25

This does not have to do with the gaining or losing of our eternal life.

It is not an issue of possession but one of investment and reward.

Servant #3 – Lk. 19:20-25

The life of our Lord Jesus Christ is a perfect example of this!

Failure to understand this was Peter’s mistake!Mark 8:31-37

Servant #3 – Lk. 19:20-25

Trying to hard to keep what we think life consists of here will cause us to lose what is truly valuable in

eternity!

Are you saving your life or losing it?

Servant #3 – Lk. 19:20-25

How are your investments?

How would your life be different if, rather than living your life controlled by externals or random emotions,

you began to think of it in terms of investments?

Servant #3 – Lk. 19:20-25

How would your life be different if you started teaching your children and those around you to do

the same?

Servant #3 – Lk. 19:20-25

Mt. 28:19-20It’s called discipleship!

 … “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you”….

Servant #3 – Lk. 19:20-25

It’s called saving your life!