Does My Time Management Honor God?

God is concerned about how we use our time. Time is an intriguing aspect of creation because once it elapses, it cannot be recovered. Human beings can take up more space, generate more money, buy more clothes, produce more food, and build vast empires. But no human can churn out more time for themselves or for those they love. King David, gripped with this reality, exclaimed:

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12).

Our time on earth is a finite resource and God wants us to spend it with utmost caution. Paul urged believers to live their lives worthy of the calling they have received (Ephesians 4:1). How we use our time is central to our quest to live worthy of the great calling we have received. Paul also emphasized that believers ought to be very careful how they live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Doing all things for God's glory

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Paul issued this command while urging the Corinthian church to ensure they didn’t cause anyone to stumble due to their food choices. Though they possessed the freedom in Christ to eat anything created by God, they were to refrain from eating food that would prick at another man’s conscience.

Paul gives us an invaluable life principle that should govern all our choices in life--everything we do should bring glory to God. Even the most mundane tasks in our lives should be aimed at bringing glory to God. Name them--eating, drinking, taking a bath, chatting, relaxing, using our phones, etc. If we embrace this truth and weigh all our actions against it, we insulate ourselves from spending our time on things that don’t glorify God.

Doing things in the right time

Imagine spotting a farmer sowing seeds during harvest time. Such a farmer would be the laughingstock of his peers. Scripture teaches us that there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Part of using our time wisely involves doing things at the right time. King Solomon referred to the ant, a tiny winy insect without an overseer. On its own accord, the ant stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food in harvest (Proverbs 6:6-8).

The five foolish virgins missed the bridegroom’s banquet because they did not oil their lamps at the right time. They scurried off to buy oil at the eleventh hour. They had probably procrastinated on buying the oil and engaged in an array of other activities. But the right time to buy the oil was before the arrival of the groom not after. Jesus said that he needed to work while it was still day as night would come when no one would work (John 9:4). We must do things at the right time if we are to honor God with our time.

Abounding in the work of the Lord

Paul urged believers to give themselves fully to the work of the Lord because our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). God expects us to spend our time serving in his vineyard. Before his ascension, Jesus asked his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey. He had earlier taught that He did not come to the world to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Jesus’ life is a perfect example of one who abounded in the Kingdom assignment.

Bible scholars indicate that Jesus was crucified at about 33 years old. He had accomplished so much for the kingdom in those seemingly few years. He had healed the sick, delivered the oppressed, raised the dead, fed multitudes, and turned water to wine, besides saving the world. His life was all about service and he wants us to prioritize the same.

Opportunities to serve God’s people are all around us. You can plug into your local church and use your gifts and talents there. You can also volunteer in community projects, engage in missionary work, visit the sick, and teach children, among others.

Take some rest

“Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done" (Genesis 2:3).

The Almighty God took time to rest from his work. If God modeled that, what about ourselves, mere mortals? Rest is critical if we are to lead productive lives that glorify God. Taking time to rest helps our bodies recuperate, boosts our immune system, perks up our productivity, boosts creativity, and wards off stress. We also see Jesus urging his disciples to retreat to a quiet place to rest (Mark 6:31). In the fast-paced society we live in, we need to remember that taking time to rest is part of God's plan for us.

But which activities should we engage in while resting? Remember that God sanctified the Sabbath, which means that our rest time, too, should be sanctified. With the influx of electronic gadgets, it's easier than ever to waste our rest time with unhealthy activities, like scrolling mindlessly on social media, watching explicit shows, engaging in unhealthy video games, etc. Some healthier ways of resting include sleeping, exercising, spending quality time with loved ones, reading good books, engaging in healthy hobbies, etc.

Teaching our children the ways of God

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up" (Deuteronomy 6:6).

God expects us to spend time with our children, teaching them his word and his ways. He desires that parents raise a godly generation that will be the salt and light of the world. This cannot be achieved without parents spending time with their children.

God wants us to be good and faithful stewards of every blessing and gift he has bestowed on us. He expects us to nurture our children physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Many parents are so caught up with life’s demands with little time to nurture their children. God wants us to dedicate time to teach our children his ways.

Admittedly, because of our sinful nature, many of us falter in spending our time in the things that please God. We procrastinate, we linger too long on our socials, and fail to do the right things at the right time. Let’s not despair in our quest to glorify God with our time. Like Paul, let us press on towards the goal in order to win the prize (Philippians 3: 14).