Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:15-16
At some point in our lives, we all end up with plenty of time on our hours. No matter what stage of life we are in when we have plenty of time to spare, we usually find some way to fill. This may occur more than once during our life and what we do with it each time depends on us.
When you’re time rich, how do you spend it? Do you read those books you have always wanted to read? Do you spend it socialising with friends and family? Do you use to it thoughtfully or do you use it recklessly? There are many things we would like to be doing when we are time rich but how do you really use it?
Many people use their extra time to pursue leisurely pursuits or do nothing at all. Very few of us, use it wisely. God wants us to spend any spare time we are given to help prepare ourselves and others for his coming kingdom. Instead of using our time foolishly, we need to be looking at what we are doing and change it for the better. We need to make the most of the opportunity God has given us.
Some people don’t regard extra time on your hands as a resource that should be used wisely. The focus is more on money and what we should be doing with that. Time for many people is a more precious resource than money. If you had all the money in the world, it would be useless if you didn’t have the time to spend and enjoy it. Time, in a way, is more important to us than money. Those who are financially rich are usually time poor.
When you become time rich, you have to start with doing things that will improve your relationship with God. Read your Bible and pray more – you may not get the opportunity again. God has given you the extra time for a reason (even if comes about in an unusual way e.g. losing a job). He doesn’t want you to waste a moment of it.
How about using your extra time to help others? Spend some time at your local community centre instead of spending it all at home. In the same way, you can spend money you can also spend your time. If time were money (as the old saying goes) would you be wasting it on things that don’t last, or would you be investing it in things that do? Go out into the world and use your time fruitfully.
Remember, time is a valuable resource and when we do get plenty of it, God wants us to use it wisely. It would be sad to waste such a precious gift from God and squander our time richness no matter how long or how often it happens.
Originally published September 2018