Redeeming the Times and Budgeting Our Time

We hear of money management, and rarely of time management; but, time is a resource just like, money, or food. Are we a good steward of our time? Have we done a time budget and audit?

The video ends with a question. It is, "What are you going to do with today?"

I love the Aramaic Bible's translation of Psalm 118:24
This is the day that Lord Jehovah has made; come, we will leap for joy and rejoice in him!

Are you rejoicing in today, and considering it something God has made, or are you spending this day worrying about tomorrow?  Maybe you are spending it as just another day, and no need to treat any differently.

  Matt 6:34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow, for the morrow shall be anxious for its own things; sufficient for the day is the evil of it.(youngs literal trans)
  Matt 6:34 So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (new living trans)

Jesus lets us know that today has its own evil, or trouble. But what if there is nothing going  on traumatic or chaotic in your life. Everything is easy peasy. Does that mean that Jesus lied? No.  It might mean you do not understand the investment God has made into your life or others by giving you time. God gives the rich, poor, man, woman, adult ,and child the same amount of time. He invested in us to invest in Him, others, and ourselves . Time can be wasted, but it can't increase. Matthew 6:27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? We have all been given the same amount each day, and no one gets more.

Investing in God does not stop with financial offerings or tithing. If you tithe 10% of your money for God, have you ever considered tithing 10% of your day to God through, reading, praying, and service to others? If you don't consider the sleeping hours of an average night's sleep of seven hours aspart of the equation, then you are left with 102 minutes. If you tithe the total of 24 hours, it is 144 minutes of your day given to God. We have the word that tells us to bring our tithes AND offerings, so tithing is the bare minimum. As we look at that video above, the average person spends more time watching tv than religious activities.

I think when Jesus talked about the day having its own evil, I think he is referring to the thief of time and opportunity.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.

God has by his spirit illuminated our hearts to his death, resurrection, and return, when we have faith it was done to redeem his creation and offer salvation for us. We become children of the day when we trust in him and die to our sin through confession and rise again in him by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are no longer walking around blindly, and have been given a command to go and make disciples teaching everything that he taught us. You don't have to teach everything, just what you have learned. You teach by your life and interactions with others. Our family is a primary place of ministry God has given us. Are we redeeming the times and opportunities with them? If you have no children, are you extending the light of God to your neighbors and friends?

Eph 5:16 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, redeeming the time and making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

What is the Lord's will for your life, in regards to time? Have you done an audit? Do you see where you spend your time? Thank God, we have forgiveness of sin, and His grace. We are supposed to redeem the check written out for 24 hours, each day. We are not saved by works, but our faith is supposed to propel us towards good works. Did your Grandmother ever tell you that you are supposed to leave a place in better condition that what is was before you entered it? Mine did.  

Can you remember a redemptive conversation you had with your child today? Did you wait for God at the altar of prayer to help you understand what really matters.........

Phill 2:9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christi's return.

Jesus didn't say "if you pray" , but rather "when you pray." The Lord's prayer said "give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sin, as we forgive those who sin against us." Daily we are to seek him for our needs for that day and  be aware of the responsibility of the sin in our life, and the judgment we hold against others. We are to seek him for opportunities in that day to let his light shine.

As we do an audit of our time, an easy question is , "Is this redemptive?" Rest is not laziness. God made the Sabbath for our mind and body, but there are times rest slips into laziness, and God tells us to wake up. Maybe we have let a thought go to sleep that needs to be awakened. Maybe we have put off confrontation that needs to take place or forgiveness that needs to be extended.  Maybe we need to address a character flaw within ourselves or something rising up in our child. Today is the day the Lord has made. He has given us his power and presence. He is the God of time, and can redeem it. He turns all things for our good.

As far as time goes, what really matters?

2Tim 4:7

Fight the good fight of faith for yourself and others today
Finish the race set before you today.
Keep Faith today. 

I saw in the news recently a woman that stood her ground for God's word. She lived like a devil for many years and has only been a Christian for four years. She has been attacked by the world and news media, but what is more ironic, is that Christians have attacked her too by bringing up her past. Many of these so called Christians, have been warming pews for decades with little or no impact on the world around them. Don't let your past wastefulness make you ashamed. You can't go back in time, but the blood of Jesus can, and if he doesn't accuse you, don't worry about nobody else! Your life could end tonight and mine as well, but we have hope in a Savior that looked over to the thief on a cross and said, "today you will be with me in heaven."

If you have put your trust in God's word, you can take hold of his promise in Psalm 112, that says, "they themselves will be wealthy and their good deeds will last forever." You will be wealthy with stored up interest on your time God entrusted you with and it lasts forever! Never take advantage of that moment to laugh with you brother, or the power of a hug and encouraging word to your spouse. You are growing in knowledge and understanding as you read your word and pray to the one that is always present, all knowing, and all powerful.

Psalm 139

You have searched me, Lord,

and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise;

you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;

you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue

you, Lord, know it completely.

You hem me in behind and before,

and you lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me

and the light become night around me,”

even the darkness will not be dark to you;

the night will shine like the day,

for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place,

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God!

How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,

they would outnumber the grains of sand—

when I awake, I am still with you.

If only you, God, would slay the wicked!

Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!

They speak of you with evil intent;

your adversaries misuse your name.Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,

and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?I have nothing but hatred for them;

I count them my enemies.

Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.