Exponential Week 3: "Exponential Reward" with Chris Beall

Living as Faithful Stewards with an Eternal Focus

Scripture References

Primary text

• Matthew 25
• Colossians 3:1-2

Other references

• Leviticus 27:30
• Romans 11:36
• Romans 14:10

Overview

Pastor Chris Beal closed the “Exponential” series by asking, “What if you knew then what you know now?” Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matthew 25) gives that very advantage—insider information on how life here multiplies into eternity. Because everything belongs to God, we will one day give an account for how we steward His gifts, time, abilities, and resources. Shifting from earthly spending to Kingdom investing opens the life of “exceedingly, abundantly more” God intends.

Main Points

God owns everything

• The master “entrusted to them his property.” Nothing ever stopped belonging to the master.
• Accepting ownership by God frees us to live open-handedly; clinging makes generosity nearly impossible.
• Tithe as declaration: every first 10 % reminds the heart, “It’s all His” (Leviticus 27:30).
• Story: After the Beal home burned to the ground, Chris stood in shorts, flip-flops, with only wallet and phone. The expected devastation never came because he already believed none of it was his.

We will give an account

• The master “returned and settled accounts.” Likewise, every believer will stand before the Bema seat of Christ (Romans 14:10).
• This is not the judgment of salvation but the evaluation of stewardship and reward—God cheering, eager to reward faithfulness, not condemning.
• Visual shift: not an angry judge with a gavel but a Father on the edge of His throne, urging, “You’ve got this!”

Live as Kingdom investors, not earthly spenders

• Spending trades one thing for another with no net gain; investing devotes something expecting exponential return.
• Every day we choose: vegging on Netflix (spend) or mentoring someone (invest); controlling teen behavior (spend) or praying heaven down for them (invest).
• Illustration: Cancelling cable or selling season tickets to fund new campuses—money moved from spending to eternal investment.
• Illustration: Three sons swapped dollars for pesos on vacation; back home the pesos were worthless. Much of what we obsess over here will hold zero value there.

Faithful stewardship multiplies heaven

• We live in a “ten-talent” moment—unparalleled opportunity, technology, and reach.
• “To whom much is given, much will be expected.” Our gifts, placement, and resources are tools to grow heaven.

Key Truths

• Everything in our hands is still God’s property.
• The tithe is a practical, recurring statement of God’s ownership.
• Every believer will personally report to Jesus on how they used His gifts.
• Earthly spending ends here; Kingdom investing echoes forever.
• God eagerly plans eternal rewards for faithful stewardship.

Response

• Acknowledge God as owner of your time, talents, and resources.
• Redirect one area of “spending” this week into intentional Kingdom investment.
• Practice the tithe to train your heart in God’s ownership.
• Pray daily: “Lord, show me where today’s choices can impact eternity.”
• Mentor, serve, or give in ways that help people meet Christ and grow.

Closing

Pastor Chris pictured the future moment when God looks each steward in the eye and says,

“Well done, my good and faithful child…enter into the joy of your God.”
With heaven cheering now and reward waiting then, the only reasonable response is to live open-handed, holding nothing back, so that our brief life here yields exponential impact forever.

Prayer

Pastor Chris led the congregation to confess sin, receive Christ’s forgiveness, and ask the Holy Spirit to fill and use their lives. Many responded, surrendering everything to Jesus and stepping into the freedom and identity He purchased for them.