Don't Waste It

“The life that God has given you is a gift. What you do with it is your gift to the world.” — Pastor Tim Moore

Guest speaker Pastor Tim Moore began his message by sharing how much The Tree Church feels like home to him. He spoke about the close friendship he shares with Pastor Matthew and Mary Johnson, saying their leadership has greatly influenced his own ministry. Pastor Tim encouraged everyone never to take that kind of faithful leadership for granted, reminding the congregation that the heart of a church often reflects the heart of its pastor.

He then celebrated what God is doing in and through The Tree Church, noting the impact of the Logan Campus launch and the many families being reached through both locations. Before diving into the message, he showed a photo of his family and reflected on the joy of being a husband, father, and now a grandfather.

Pastor Tim described the season his wife and he are in as both beautiful and eye-opening. Becoming an empty-nesters and grandparents has made them more aware of how quickly time passes. He said that with each new stage of life, we start to see what really matters, and it becomes easier to appreciate the things that used to seem small.

Reading from James 4:13–17, Pastor Tim reminded everyone that life is brief. James compares it to a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Pastor Tim said that truth becomes more real as we get older. The days can feel long, but the years move quickly, and if we’re not paying attention, life will pass by before we realize it.

To illustrate how fragile life can be, Pastor Tim shared a story about a winter drive during a snowstorm. While traveling down Route 33, his car hit the ice and began spinning uncontrollably. In that moment, he thought his life might end. His wife, who was on the phone at the time, heard the crash and the silence that followed.

By God’s grace, he walked away without a single scratch, though his car was totaled. That experience left a lasting impression on him. It reminded him that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, and every day we are given is a gift.

Continuing in James 4, Pastor Tim focused on verse 17, which says that if we know the good we ought to do and don’t do it, it is sin for us. He explained that sin isn’t only about doing what’s wrong; it can also mean choosing not to act when we know what’s right.

He encouraged everyone to think about how God calls us to live with purpose. The future hasn’t been written yet, and every decision we make shapes what’s ahead. God has given us the ability to create the kind of future He desires for us.

Pastor Tim then turned to Matthew 25:14–30, where Jesus tells the parable of the talents. He explained that this story isn’t just about money but about trust and responsibility. The master represents Jesus, and the servants represent us.

Each servant received a different amount to manage, but each was expected to do something with it. Pastor Tim pointed out that what the master gave them wasn’t wealth- it was expectation. The story shows that God has placed something within each of us, and He expects us to use it well.

He used the example of rare cars to make the point that the less of something there is, the more valuable it becomes. Just like a one-of-a-kind car, every person is unique and valuable to God. There is only one you, and what you do with your life matters deeply to Him.

Pastor Tim explained that the servant who buried his one bag of gold did so because he was afraid. Fear often keeps us from using what God has given us. It causes us to hold back instead of stepping forward in faith.

He said that fear can make people stingy with their time, hesitant to take risks, and overly cautious about what others might think. But God doesn’t call us to live in fear- He calls us to live with boldness and faith. Pastor Tim shared that his own fear hasn’t been disappointing God as much as it has been looking like a disappointment to others. That honesty helped listeners see how often we let fear of failure stop us from doing good.

When the master returned in the parable, he praised the servants who invested and multiplied what they were given. To them, he said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” But the servant who buried his gift lost what he had.

Pastor Tim said that moment reveals something important about how God views our lives. God isn’t asking us to play it safe. He calls us to use our time, talent, and opportunities with purpose. We either work what He has placed in us or we waste it.

He reminded everyone that having a successful career or a comfortable life is not wrong, but those things are not the purpose of our existence. We were created to make an impact that honors God and helps others.

To live that way takes faith and intention. Pastor Tim told the church about a prayer he prayed when he was seventeen:
 “Jesus, I give You my life. Use me however You want.”

He said that prayer changed the direction of his life. Living for Jesus means surrendering our own plans and trusting His. True joy and fulfillment come from being part of what God is doing.

He also reminded everyone that serving God doesn’t always mean working in a church. God calls each of us to ministry in the places we already are- at work, at home, and in our communities. Every believer has a purpose that matters right where they are.

As Pastor Tim closed, he invited anyone who has drifted from God or never fully surrendered to Him to take that step of faith. Following Jesus begins with a simple decision to say yes to Him.

He encouraged everyone not to settle for a safe or comfortable life but to live intentionally for God’s purpose. Every moment matters, and what we do with the life we’ve been given will echo beyond this world.