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Imagine standing at the end of your life and realizing you spent most of it chasing things that didn’t matter. You chased promotion after promotion just to make more money. Or you spent all your money on temporary pleasures thinking that they would make your life better.

Or maybe you even did the “right” things. You stockpiled all your money away for retirement. You worked so hard to get there, but now you are realizing you missed a lot of opportunities to have a real, lasting impact throughout your life.

R.C. Sproul (Ligonier Ministries) warns us against this tragic reality when he said,

‘The worst sin against stewardship is to waste your life.’

I found this quote on Ligonier’s social media accounts, but couldn’t verify where exactly it came from. It was probably from a conference or a sermon. But i wanted to speculate what Sproul could have meant by this. At the very least, we can use Scripture to give us some principles to think about. 

This statement reflects a deeply theological view of stewardship as encompassing far more than money or resources—it involves our entire lives.

 

Are You Wasting Your Life?

R.C. Sproul taught that everything we have—our time, talents, and opportunities—ultimately belongs to God. To waste your life is to neglect His purpose for you. Let’s explore what that means.

1. Failing to Use Your Gifts

God gives us unique talents, not just for personal success, but to serve others and advance His kingdom. When we use them selfishly or let them go unused, we fall short of our calling.

In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus warns against burying our gifts. Faithful servants who invest wisely are rewarded, while the one who hides his talent is condemned.

Ask yourself:

  • Are you using your abilities to make an eternal impact?
  • Are you glorifying God with your gifts?

2. Living Without Intentionality

Good stewardship means using our time, energy, and resources wisely. Without a sense of mission, life can become a cycle of busyness and distraction.

Ask yourself

  • Are you setting God-honoring goals?
  • Are you prioritizing your time wisely?

Consider practical steps like time-blocking, writing a mission statement, or setting long-term goals that align with God’s plan.

3. Neglecting the Gospel

The Westminster Shorter Catechism states:

“The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

A life disconnected from this purpose—one lived apart from Christ—is a wasted life. The most important thing you can do is embrace the Gospel and fulfill God’s calling.

 

The Connection Between the Gospel and Stewardship

There is no mission objective in our stewardship if there is no Gospel. 

Stewardship is about glorifying God, and glorifying God is the ultimate purpose of our lives—including how we handle money and possessions. Everything we have—our income, resources, and opportunities—belongs to Him.

Psalm 24:1 – “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”

Stewardship Enhances Our Enjoyment of God

When we handle finances according to biblical principles, it deepens our relationship with God and brings joy.

  • Generosity leads to joy – Giving allows us to experience the blessing of trusting God’s provision.
    • Acts 20:35 – “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
    • Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
  • Contentment is cultivated – When we focus less on accumulating wealth and more on God’s provision, we find greater peace.
    • 1 Timothy 6:6-8 – “Godliness with contentment is great gain… if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”
  • Freedom from financial anxiety – When we trust God rather than riches, we experience true peace.
    • Matthew 6:19-21 – “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
    • Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Stewardship Reflects God’s Character

God is our Creator, Sustainer, and Provider. Just as He cares for us, we are called to use our resources wisely for His kingdom and for the good of others.

  • Proverbs 3:9-10 – “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”

Stewardship Prepares Us for Eternal Joy

The Westminster Shorter Catechism reminds us that our ultimate purpose is to glorify and enjoy God forever. Financial stewardship shifts our focus from earthly wealth to eternal treasures (Matthew 6:20). It reminds us that life is temporary, and our financial choices have lasting significance.

Stewardship is a Response to the Gospel

The Gospel reveals God’s incredible generosity—He gave His Son to rescue us (John 3:16). Our response is gratitude, using what He has entrusted to us for His glory. Stewardship is not just about money; it is a way to trust God, focus on what truly matters, and bless others—just as Jesus gave everything for us.

A wasted life ignores these truths. But when we recognize God’s purpose in every aspect of our lives—even our finances—we find true meaning.

 

Eternal Rewards & Present Joys of Intentional Stewardship

While the consequences of wasting one’s life are implied in what we just talked about, it is important to recognize that there are rewards for faithful stewardship.

 

ETERNAL REWARDS

The Parable of the Talents – In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus describes how faithful stewards are commended by their master:

“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.” Matthew 25:23

Our faithfulness in seemingly small tasks on earth has eternal significance.

Treasure in Heaven – Jesus teaches: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

Earthly possessions and accolades are fleeting, but eternal investments endure forever.  Think about it…how and what we do with what God has put into our care, will have a lasting, forever lasting impact on…and in our eternity!

Crown of Life – James writes: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

The crown of life is God’s reward for those who love Him and loyally persevere under trial. We are often pressed in our stewardship, but know, God sees you! Your faithfulness does not go unseen. 

Inheritance of the Kingdom – Paul encourages believers: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

Our earthly work, when done for God’s glory, has eternal implications. The inheritance of the kingdom—a promised share in God’s eternal reign—awaits those who faithfully serve Him.

 

When we steward our lives for God’s glory, the reward isn’t just eternal—it’s the joy of living with purpose right now.

PRESENT JOYS

    1. A sense of purpose – When we live for God’s glory, we align ourselves with the reason we were created: to glorify God and enjoy Him (Westminster Shorter Catechism). This gives deep meaning to every aspect of life, even mundane tasks, because everything becomes an act of worship. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Knowing your efforts matter to God fills everyday work with purpose.
      • Don’t just do something…do it the best that you can…for His glory!
    2. Freedom from comparison and anxiety – Stewardship shifts our focus from striving for worldly achievements or approval from others, to pleasing God. This frees us from the burden of comparison or chasing after the many temporary pleasures, which often lead to frustration or emptiness. 
      • Matthew 6:33 encourages us to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Living for God brings purpose, peace and contentment.
    3. Joy in serving others – Using our gifts to bless others and further God’s kingdom brings immense satisfaction. 
      1. Acts 20:35 reminds us, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Blessing, giving and serving others connects us to meaningful relationships, strengthens communities, and allows us to experience God’s love flowing through us.
    4. Hope and direction during trials – Stewardship gives us a mission that transcends our circumstances. Even in difficulty, we can persevere with joy, knowing our lives have eternal impact.
  • And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, ESV)
  • Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4, ESV)

 

Stewardship Application

“The Worst sin against Stewardship is to waste your life” – R.C. Sproul

It just may be time for you, our listener, to examine how you have been investing your life. 

Are you focusing on temporary, worldly pursuits, or are you prioritizing eternal, God-glorifying ones? Again, remember, the pastor and the barber are both spiritual endeavors, whose work has lasting and eternal significance.  Why?  Because it is work done in service of the Lord and other people, which makes it worthy!

For Sproul, according to this quote, the worst misuse of our God-given gifts is to live in a way that misses the ultimate purpose for which we were created; wasting our lives instead of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. And remember…we can do this, even in the “mundanity” of life. 

Considering this topic can be overwhelming…and for some, paralyzing. Maybe after listening to this episode, you feel convicted. Without a doubt, this is weighty topic that everyone needs to process…and hopefully set a course correction if needed.

But remember, even if you feel like you’ve wasted parts of your life, God’s mercies are new every morning. It’s never too late to start living with purpose…so consider pausing what you are about to do and have a good processing time with the Lord.

 

Next Steps

 

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The topics discussed in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations.Investing and investment strategies involve risk including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

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