Stewardship of Our Time

Does the principle of tithing apply equally to our time as it does to our money?

How much of our time should we set aside for the work of the Lord each week?

How are you using the time God has given you?

Time is the heritage of every person. Whether a king or street sweeper, an astronomer or truck driver, a business tycoon or grocery clerk, each of us has the same number of hours.

Many necessities and opportunities demand much of our day. Our work takes up a large percentage of our life. Being a good husband or wife, father or mother, employer or employee requires time.

As Christians, we have spiritual priorities as well. How many hours or days in a month should we set aside for evangelism and discipleship and the ministries of our church? What about caring for the poor, the orphans, and widows as God's Word commands (James 1:27; Galatians 2:10)?

With all these tasks competing for our time, how can we balance our responsibilities to fulfill our temporal and spiritual duties?

As a good steward, you must manage your time wisely. Let me suggest a way to accomplish this task that Christians seldom consider today - tithing your time.

Tithing reflects a thankful, obedient attitude and acknowledges God as the source and owner of all that we possess. A voluntary act of worship, tithing teaches us to put God first. A faithful steward serves because he has such a heart for God. As we have seen, everything we have is a gift from God. Every second of every minute, every minute of every hour, twenty-four hours a day belong to Him. Although God's Word does not specifically require us to tithe our time, our Lord did command us to put Him first in all things (Matthew 6:31-33). Giving back a percentage of our time enables us to give God priority and assurance that we will fulfill our service to Him.

Right Attitude About Time

1. Read Psalm 90:12. What should be our prayer concerning the use of the time that God gives us?
2. Why is the proper use of our time today so important? (James 4:13-15)
3. What does God demand of us in the stewardship of our time? (Psalm 62:8) When do you find this hardest to do?
4. What does Christ admonish us to do as stewards of time until He comes again? (Mark 13:33-37)
5. If we are wise stewards and heed the commands of our Lord, how will we use our time (Ephesians 5:15-16 )? What does making use of our time have to do with wisdom or with evil days?

Right Relationship with God

1. As wise stewards concerned over the use of our time, what will we want to understand (Ephesians 5:17)? 
2. What is necessary in order to know fully the will of God concerning the duties of our stewardship (Ephesians 5:18)?
3. What will the Holy Spirit give the faithful steward to enable him to perform the duties of stewardship (Acts 1:8)?
4. In whose name should the steward perform these duties (Colossians 3:17)?
5. What should be our attitude as we utilize the time over which God has made us stewards (Ephesians 5:19-21)? 
6. How would you describe such a useful and joyous life (John 10:10)?

Most Important Use of Time

1. As wise stewards who know and are obedient to the will of God, what will we spend so much of our time aggressively doing? (Mark 16:15)
2. What does God say about a soul winner in Proverbs 11:30?
3. Of what value is a soul according to Christ in Mark 8:36-37?
4. What is the greatest thing that has happened in your life?
5. What then is the greatest thing you can do for another?
6. What happens in God's presence when one repents and receives Christ? (Luke 15:7,10)
7. How did Paul feel about those whom he had won to Christ? (I Thessalonians 2:19-20)

Life Application

Keeping track of how you spend your day can be of great value in evaluating the stewardship of your time. Record the number of hours spent on business, class, sleep, Christian service, recreation, etc. Place the total hours per week used in each activity below.

Stewardship of Time

• Study & Class:
• Activities & Athletics:
• Devotional Life:
• Commuting:
• Christian Service:
• Employment:
• Rest:
• Laundry & Clean-up:
• Recreation & Social Life:
• Miscellaneous:   

Determine what blocks of time are wasteful. How could you use them to serve the Lord?

List ways to tithe your time that can be worked into your schedule.

Adapted from The 10 Basic Steps Toward Christian Maturity, by Bill Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. © Cru. All rights reserved.