Time is far more valuable
than we think, especially to children … and to God. In fact, I think
giving your time to God may be more important than giving your money. Why?
Because you can always get more money, but you cannot get more time.
Time and money invested in the kingdom will pay off in eternity, where time and money have no value. The souls of others, on the other hand, have immeasurable value for all of time and eternity.
God even listed
devoting your time (but not your money) in the Ten Commandments, in which he
commanded us to give one-seventh of our days to Him, or more than 14 percent,
compared to returning a tithe (or 10%) percent of our possessions and earnings.
The next time you think about investments, consider what you are investing your time into.
The next time you think about investments, consider what you are investing your time into.
Today’s devotional
from Zondervan is on giving our time to the Lord. We will study Chapter 18 Sunday, February 5, at FBC Killeen.
KEY
QUESTION:
The book of Proverbs in the Old Testament is a collection of
brief words of wisdom loosely bound together to teach the reader skills for
living, including time management. The last chapter in the book is unique. In
detail, it describes the day-to-day workings of the “wife of noble character,”
who is essentially a personification of wisdom. The way she juggled her
responsibilities while keeping God’s purposes at the center of it all is an
inspiration to every follower of God. [See Proverbs 31:10-31.]
When we give our time to serve the purposes of God,
particularly to those who cannot reciprocate, God not only takes notice but may
also reward us greatly. [See Matthew 25:31–46 .]
KEY
VERSE
Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:17)
KEY
IDEA
I offer my time to fulfill God’s purposes.
KEY
APPLICATION:
What difference does this make in the way I
live?
Unite the practice of prayer with the practice of offering
your time. Ask God to show you how to use your time wisely and in such a way
that it brings glory to him.
Giving him full access to speak to you at any time regarding
your calendar will make all the difference as you serve in his name in your
little corner of the world.
The author of Job tells us, “A person’s days are determined;
you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot
exceed" (Job 14:5). Multiplying is completely up to God. You give; he
multiplies. What if every morning or each night you prayed, Father, my time is
yours. Show me, lead me, speak to me about what you want me to do, about how to
use this precious gift wisely, and then you listened, trusted, and obeyed?
YOUR
TURN
In your own
words, explain what this verse means to you: “Whatever you do, whether in word
or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). Join the discussion today and use the
hashtag #BelieveTheStory
