Stewarding Time

How do we steward our time well? What does it actually mean to steward time?

We have choices in our life every day. Small choices lead to big realities. Habits we practice each day develop a place our life goes. To change our reality we have to change what we do.

As a Christian, my time is not my own. I am not stewarding my resources, but the Lord's. God determines the number of days we have and I believe we will answer for how we use them. If you entrust something of value to someone, what is your expectation? I hope you expect what you give to be valued. I believe the Lord expects what He gives us to be valued- time, talent, and resources.

We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. This is not an issue of salvation, yet I believe it is an important discussion to have. Will you spend a moment taking inventory of your time?

Time questions:

1. How much time do I spend on others?

2. How much time do I invest in my family?

3. How much time is invested in my community?

4. How much time is invested in taking care of my home?

5. How much time do I invest in buying, sorting, and organizing things?

6. How much time do I spend cleaning and on upkeep?

7. How much time do I spend on activities I enjoy?

8. How much time do I spend seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness?

Without being intentional our time can quickly be consumed by less important things.

Several years back I realized I was not spending my time or resources well. I was not being intentional about what I bought, owned, and had to take care of. Because of this, my life did not look the way I knew it should.

We can prioritize time with many intentions- more time for ourselves, more time for fun, more time for pleasure. However, I would challenge you to think Kingdom First on this. Are you spending your time in a way that stewards your time and resources and allows you to invest in activities and pursuits that put Jesus first? Do you have the time needed to pray and read your Bible? Are you able to take moments of time to be still before the Lord?

Sometimes training and prep work for what God calls us to is extremely practical. Mine was.

I'm often asked how I have time for Lamp and Light, making Bible studies, and such. The answer is: The Lord prepared me for years before I knew what He was making time and space for me to do.

I learned routines and a lifestyle that created time. I learned to simplify my laundry, buy less stuff so I had less stuff to manage, and reduce the number of toys and senseless activities that I do with our kids. I learned to spend less time on what I wear by having a basic capsule-type wardrobe. I shop less. I spend less. And I have more. More time. More resources. More value.

Often what we let go of intentionally and with the Lord's help lends us to where we really need to be.

Some things are downright practical. Simplified cleaning routines, laundry routines, and owning less have led to a more Bible-based life for me, yet they require really practical steps.

"Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105