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September 1, 2002, Vol.1, No.15. Redeeming the Time Keith Sharp I used to keep a small, wooden, disk that had the words "ROUND TU IT" printed on it. It was to remind me not to put off a necessary task until I could "get around to it." I always had my "ROUND TU IT." Some people never seem to find the time to serve the Lord. The simple fact is the Lord has given each of us twenty-four hours in a day and seven days in a week. We each have the same amount of time each day and each week. It’s a simple matter of using our time wisely. And we are commanded to make wise use of our time. "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, NKJV) "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil." (Ibid, NASV) How can we make wise use of our time? A steward is a servant entrusted with the management of goods that belong to his master to be used for the benefit of his master (cf. Luke 16:1-2). We are stewards of the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:20). That stewardship involves our time (Ephesians 5:15-16). The time we have is the present (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 3:7-13). We cannot regain yesterday. We have no promise of tomorrow (Luke 12:16-20, 35-46; James 4:13-15). We must labor today. The Lord left the perfect example of stewardship of time. He observed, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work." (John 9:4) The characteristic word that Mark uses of Jesus’ actions is "immediately." (cf. Mark 8:9-10) Jesus did not delay or procrastinate. He was immediately and constantly doing the Father’s business. There are four chief culprits that steal our time and cause us to be unwise in this regard. One is wrong priorities. The Master commands, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) The "things" of this verse are the material necessities of life (verses 25-32). Service to the Lord must come ahead of even food, water, and clothing, necessities of physical life. If this is true of the necessities, certainly it is of less important things. James rebukes those who place business ahead of the Lord and thus fail to do the good works they know they should do (James 4:13-17). Another thief of time is laziness. Solomon advised: Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep-- So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:6-11)
The same wise man later wrote: I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man. (Proverbs 24:24-30)
A failure to plan the use of our time is another culprit. The only way we can make the most of our time (Ephesians 5:16, NASV) is by planning ahead how we will spend our time and then working our plan. Procrastination is a terrible thief of time. We intend to do necessary tasks, but we just don’t "get around to it." We need that "ROUND TU IT." Actually we need a sense of urgency in the Lord’s work. We must have the attitude of Jesus (John 9:4). Some foolishly squander their time by putting off obedience to the gospel. In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2) Some unnecessarily stay up late Saturday night watching TV or otherwise squandering their time and are either late for worship or unable to worship in spirit (John 4:23-24).
Some allow hobbies or recreational activities to keep them from fulfilling family obligations or studying for Bible class. Some use Sunday morning as a day to sleep late. All of these are examples of the failure to wisely use the time the Lord has loaned us. Yesterday is forever gone. The Lord has not guaranteed us tomorrow. Today is all we have. Are you using today to serve the Lord? Are you being a wise steward of time?
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Some
are given tasks to do for the church and just don’t find the time to
complete them. The next business meeting rolls around, and the excuse is
made, "Oh, I forgot." "Moreover it is required in stewards
that one be found faithful (trustworthy - KS)." (1 Corinthians 4:2)
