Thursday August 11, 2011

Read Ephesians 5:15-16, Psalm 90

 

STEWARDSHIP OF TIME AND TALENT

 

Stewardship of Time

Each of us have 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 Thee a heart of wisdom" (Ps. 90:12).

 

Time is our most valuable asset, but without a proper perspective, we will spend it foolishly. A biblical perspective on time involves several things:

(1) Life is brief, and we cannot be presumptuous about the future (James. 4:14).

 

(2) The eternal gives meaning to the temporal (Romans 13:11; 2 Corinthians 4:18).

 

(3) Like other assets, our time is owned by God (Psalm 31:15).

 

(4) We must be sensitive to opportunities so that we can make the most of them (Ecclesiastes 8:5; Colossians 4:5).

 

(5) Our use of time will reflect our priorities (Matthew 6:19-21, 34).

 

Just as it is wise to budget our financial resources (see below), 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.

 

Think about your typical week - Sonday through to Saturday. On what 3 things do you spend most of your time? What does this say about your priorities?

 

 

Prayer:

> Pray for the leaders and students involved in student life that they will take all the knowledge and spiritual strength gained at the mid-year conference to use it to further spread the Word of Lord,  to help and encourages those around them.

> Pray for the families of the workers at student life left at home that they will cope in their absence.