Each of us has been given enough time to accomplish God’s purposes for us on this planet. The Scriptures exhort us to invest our time wisely, reminding us that God determines the length of our stay on earth. “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). Toward the end of his life, Moses prayed, “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
The great dividing line between success and failure can be expressed in five words: "I did not have time" (Franklin Field).
Time is our most valuable asset, but without a proper perspective, we will spend it foolishly. A biblical perspective on time involves several things:
- Life is brief, and we cannot be presumptuous about the future (James 4:14).
- The eternal gives meaning to the temporal (Romans 13:11; 2 Corinthians 4:18).
- Like other assets, our time is owned by God (Psalm 31:15).
- We must be sensitive to opportunities so that we can make the most of them (Ecclesiastes 8:5; Colossians 4:5).
- Our use of time will reflect our priorities (Matthew 6:19-21, 34).
Just as it is wise to budget our financial resources, it is also wise to budget our use of time. Most time is wasted not in hours, but in minutes. If we do not regularly assess the way we spend our 168 hours per week, our schedules will get cluttered with activities that may be good, but not the best. How much quality time do we spend with the Lord, with our spouse, with our children, and with our non-Christian friends? God wants us to be faithful stewards, not squanderers, of the time He has given us.
Taken from Ken Boa’s Handbook to Spiritual Growth
