So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16 1

Managing Our Time as an Act of Worship

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 2

  • Pauls says the “days are evil”. Our time, by default, is spent sinfully - selfishly toiling for our own benefit.
  • But Paul also commands us to “[make] the most of your time” which literally translates to “redeeming your time” or “buying back your time” 3
  • We redeem our time by using it to give God glory. For instance in Deuteronomy 6, God instructs His people on how to spend their time - remembering Him, teaching about Him to their children, doing good in His sight, etc.
  • Moses cries out in the Psalms for wisdom by being taught to “number our days”. We were meant to make the most of the time we have here on Earth.
  • But we are not to use our time to make ourselves rich and famous. Instead, we are called to use our time to do good works that bring God glory. 3

Where do you find yourself with “unredeemed” time?

Releasing Our Time as an Act of Humility

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
James 4:13-16 4

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
Proverbs 27:1 5

  • We live in a time when “productivity” and “time management” are a hot trend and seemingly ultimate solution to our problems.
  • Yet, James cautions us against getting too attached to our plans. 4
  • Proverbs reminds us that our time is ultimately in God’s control. 5
  • Despite our most intentional, thought out plans, we are cautioned to hold them lightly as we are not God.

What is a time when your plans were completely changed from something outside your control?

Sanctifying Our Time

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 6

[Your time] is not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your [schedule].
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 7

Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unproductive. Titus 3:14 8

  • God calls us to devote our time to love. For our time is not our own. 7
  • This can be through the good that God calls us to do proactively through our careers, etc.
  • This can also be through reactive good of blessing others in urgent need that often can interrupt our plans. 9
  • Ultimately, God calls us to “engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so [we] will not be unproductive.” 8

What is something you can do this week to “redeem” some of your time for the glory of God?

  1. Ephesians 5:15-16 ↩

  2. Psalm 90:12 ↩

  3. Time Management Lessons from the Bible - Jordan Raynor, Theology of Work ↩ ↩2

  4. James 4:13-16 ↩ ↩2

  5. Proverbs 27:1 ↩ ↩2

  6. Romans 13:8 ↩

  7. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ↩ ↩2

  8. Titus 3:14 ↩ ↩2

  9. Manage Your Time for the Mission of Love ↩