Podcast Summary: Joel Osteen Podcast – “Use It Or Lose It”
Host: Joel Osteen
Date: December 3, 2025
Overview
In this empowering episode titled “Use It Or Lose It,” Joel Osteen encourages listeners to recognize, value, and actively develop the unique gifts and talents God has placed within each person. Drawing on biblical parables, personal stories, and practical advice, Joel exhorts his audience not to let fear, complacency, or comparison keep them from reaching their full potential. The core message: If you don’t use your God-given abilities, you risk losing them—and missing out on the destiny prepared for you.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Opening and Theme Introduction
[01:31 – 03:00]
- Joel sets a warm, inviting tone, first with humor and then the signature Bible declaration.
- Introduces the central theme: “Use It Or Lose It”—everyone has hidden potential inside waiting to be developed, but it’s up to the individual to act.
2. God’s Gifts Are Time-Released
[03:01 – 05:00]
- Insight: Talents and gifts are placed in us on a “time release”; they are designed to unfold across seasons of our lives.
- Quote:
“We weren't created to reach one level and get stuck... Good enough is not your destiny.” – Joel Osteen [03:40]
3. Identifying Barriers: Comfort & Fear
[05:01 – 07:20]
- Many people underutilize their talents out of comfort, lack of discipline, or intimidation.
- Encourages listeners not to let fear and self-doubt silence their gifts.
- Quote:
"Don't let fear keep you from your destiny. That is a time-release gift trying to come out. Don't miss your season." – Joel Osteen [06:33]
4. The Biblical Principle: Use It or Lose It
[07:21 – 09:50]
- References Romans (“God has given each person the ability to do certain things well”) and Matthew 25 (the Parable of the Talents).
- Key Parable Recap:
- Three servants are given money, two invest and double theirs; one buries his out of fear and loses it.
- God expects a return on His investment—faithful stewardship brings increase.
- Quote:
“God is expecting a return on His investment.” – Joel Osteen [08:30]
5. Avoid Procrastination and Excuses
[09:51 – 12:00]
- Challenges the notion of waiting for a “perfect time” to use your gifts.
- Quote:
"Your one day may never come. Friends, today is your day. Don’t put it off another year." – Joel Osteen [10:30]
6. Don’t Compare Your Talent to Others
[12:01 – 15:00]
- God gives different talents to different people—comparison is a trap.
- Each person is called to use what they have, not what their neighbor has.
- Quote:
“God is not going to judge us by ‘Did you go as far as your neighbor?’ None of that matters to God.” – Joel Osteen [13:22]
7. Personal Story: Joel’s Early Ministry & Growth
[15:01 – 17:00]
- Shares his initial fear and inexperience when starting to preach after his father’s death.
- Chose to hone the talent he had, instead of comparing himself to more seasoned ministers.
- Quote:
“I took that one talent and I kept honing it... Instead of being intimidated by others, I would be inspired by them.” – Joel Osteen [16:00]
8. Biblical Example: Esau and Jacob’s Birthright
[17:01 – 19:30]
- Esau, as the firstborn, had a valuable birthright but traded it for a meal due to indifference.
- Jacob, though flawed, valued the blessing and pursued it.
- Key Point: God prefers passionate, if imperfect, pursuit of calling over indifference.
- Quote:
“God is saying, I’d rather have someone like Jacob ... than someone like Esau that has the blessing and doesn’t value it.” – Joel Osteen [18:50]
9. No Condemnation for Past Mistakes: Start Now
[19:31 – 21:50]
- Even if you’ve lost opportunities or made mistakes, it’s not too late. Start stirring up your gifts today.
- Quote:
“What’s happened in the past is not important. What’s important is right now.” – Joel Osteen [20:24]
10. The Oil Will Flow for You: David’s Example
[21:51 – 24:10]
- The story of David being anointed king: the oil (symbolizing blessing) would only flow for David, not his brothers.
- Message: Focus on developing your gifts; what’s meant for you won’t pass you by if you’re faithful.
- Quote:
“As long as you keep honoring God, stirring up your gifts... the oil that belongs to you will not flow to anybody else.” – Joel Osteen [23:30]
11. Small Gifts Can Open Big Doors
[24:11 – 26:00]
- David’s practice with the slingshot—though a "small talent"—prepared him to defeat Goliath.
- Quote:
“Because he developed the small, one day that small talent led him to defeat a big giant.” – Joel Osteen [24:40]
12. Excuses Don’t Impress God: Moses’ Reluctance
[26:01 – 27:30]
- Moses made excuses about his lack of ability; God became angry not because of his weakness, but because he didn’t use what he had.
- Quote:
“God wouldn't have asked you to do it if he hadn't already given you exactly what you need.” – Joel Osteen [27:10]
13. Do It Afraid: Faith Over Comfort
[27:31 – 28:10]
- Sometimes you must “do it afraid”—true faith means taking bold steps, not absence of fear.
- Quote:
“If you play it safe your whole life, you’ll never reach your full potential.” – Joel Osteen [27:45]
14. Fig Tree Parable: God’s Mercy Gives Another Chance
[28:11 – 29:10]
- Jesus’ parable of the barren fig tree: justice says cut it down, but mercy gives it one more year.
- God is patient and merciful, wanting us to develop fruitfulness.
- Quote:
“The good news is the God of mercy says, I’m going to give you another chance.” – Joel Osteen [28:45]
15. Closing Challenge and Blessing
[29:11 – 31:00]
- Summarizes the call to get focused, be intentional, and passionately pursue your gifts.
- Prophesies new gifts, opportunities, and the fullness of destiny for listeners.
- Quote:
“If you will use well what God has given you, I believe and declare God is about to increase you with more.” – Joel Osteen [29:45]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “If you don't use it, you'll lose it.” – Joel Osteen [08:55]
- “God is expecting a return on His investment.” – Joel Osteen [08:30]
- “Don’t compare your talents with somebody else. You just run your race. Be the best you can be with what God’s given you.” [13:44]
- “I’ve learned you don’t have to have a great gift for God to use you in a great way.” [16:50]
- “Don’t be an Esau. Don’t let someone carry away your blessings.” [19:05]
- “If you play it safe your whole life, you’ll never reach your full potential.” [27:45]
- “The good news is the God of mercy says, I’m going to give you another chance.” [28:45]
- “If you receive it today, can you say Amen?” [29:58]
Important Timestamps
- 01:31 – Episode’s official spiritual opening and theme introduction
- 03:00 – Explanation of “time-release” gifts and seasons of ability
- 08:30 – The Parable of the Talents: God expects a return
- 13:22 – “Don’t compare your gifts” lesson
- 16:00 – Joel’s personal journey: overcoming comparison and fear
- 18:50 – Difference between Esau and Jacob—valuing your blessing
- 23:30 – “The oil that belongs to you will not flow to anybody else.”
- 24:40 – Importance of developing “small” gifts
- 27:10 – God’s sufficiency for your calling
- 28:45 – God’s mercy and the chance for restoration
- 29:45 – Declaration of increase and destiny
Tone and Language
- Friendly, inspiring, direct, and full of biblical encouragement.
- Joel combines vivid biblical storytelling, practical wisdom, humor, and uplifting challenges in his characteristic affirmative style.
Summary Takeaway
Joel Osteen’s “Use It Or Lose It” message is a powerful reminder to cherish, develop, and step boldly into the gifts God has entrusted to each of us—regardless of past mistakes, current fears, or comparison to others. The path to more lies not in what we wish we had, but in fully using what we already have.
Final Challenge:
“Stir up those gifts. Be passionate about your dreams. Dare to take some steps of faith getting out of your comfort zone. If you will use well what God has given you, I believe and declare God is about to increase you with more.” – Joel Osteen [29:45]