“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Time is the most valuable resource/commodity that you and I have. Without time, money is meaningless. A person on their death bed doesn’t regret having more money but not having more time. We give a lot of thought to planning our financial future but very little time on how we spend our time.

The Bible speaks of time on earth with urgency. Check out the following scriptures.

² For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2

“My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.” Psalm 31:15

“Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!” Psalm 39:5

¹⁴ yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:14

No one is guaranteed tomorrow. “Now” is the only guarantee we have. Life is but a breath, a mist that vanishes. So how are you spending your time? What is the standard by which you decide to spend your time?

“We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.” John 9:4

In John 9 Jesus is talking with the disciples who are questioning him about sin. In typical Jesus fashion, He responds to their question by extracting a deeper truth than their surface question. Jesus explains that we must work while it is day for night is coming when no one can work.

“Day” is an analogy for life. As a Christian, while we are alive we are to work and share the good news of Jesus Christ, pray for people, serve people, give and grow in faith. This is called having a Kingdom mindset. “Night” is an analogy of death. When this life is over, our work is complete.

Jesus told His disciples that He was going away to prepare a place for them and would return for them. If you’ve received Jesus’ gift of having your sins forgiven and have been reborn spiritually, then you have also been given heaven as an inheritance.

In the Apostle Paul’s description of what heaven is like, he says in 1 Corinthians 2:9, no eye has seen nor ear heard, and no human mind has conceived what God has prepared for us. Heaven is indescribably greater than the greatest experience on earth.

Temporary works yield temporary rewards. Eternal works yield eternal rewards. It is easy to become focused on temporary works and neglect our spiritual responsibilities. That’s why Jesus told His disciples in John 9 to work now because a time is coming when there will be no more work and then you will receive the inheritance of your labor on earth!

“So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12

One day we will stand before God and give an account of our life on earth. Following salvation, our life becomes His life. He gives us new life. He makes us born-again. He erases our past and gives us a major do-over. He empowers us to live by faith. Salvation equals surrender. We receive far more in return than what we surrender.

How are you spending your time? Are you consumed with earthly responsibilities that you are too tired or don’t have “enough time” for eternal works? Are you prioritizing prayer, reading God’s word, serving, giving, and sharing your faith?

In 2018, let’s commit to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” Matthew 6:33. Stop letting time manage you and start managing your time. Let’s live with the end in mind so that we capture the value of time!