The Stewardship of Time

Text: Ephesians 5:14-17 "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."

Thank you for being with us today. If this is your first time with us I want to bring you up to speed on the series of sermons I am preaching on stewardship. There are five key areas of stewardship will be addressed in this series –

• The Stewardship of Life
• The Stewardship of Talents
• The Stewardship of Time
• The Stewardship of Money

• God Has Alloted A Specific Amount of Time To Us

Job 7:1 "Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?" The old Baptist preacher John Gill says of this verse, "There is a set time for his coming into the world, for his continuance in it, and for his going out of it."

Psalms 90:9-12 "For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. 10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

We all have the same amount of time in a day, week, month and year.

1 day = 24 hours / 1 day = 1,440 minutes

1 week = 168 hours / 1 week = 10,080 minutes

1 month = 730.484398 hours / 1 month = 43,829.0639 minutes

1 year = 8 765.81277 hours / 1 year = 525,948.766 minutes

• God Expects To Manage Our Time Wisely

There is a little poem that I came across years ago that applies.

Just A Tiny Little Minute

Just a tiny little minute, only sixty seconds in it,

forced upon me, can't refuse it, didn't seek it,

didn't choose it, but it's up to me to use it,

give account if I abuse it. Just a tiny little minute,

but eternity is in it. Author Unknown

Ephesians 5:15-16 reveals God’s expectation for us relating to time -- "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

First, we are to "walk circumspectly." Our English word circumspect, comes from the Latin circirmspicio, that means to look round about on all hands; to be every way watchful, wary, and cautious, in order to avoid danger, and discern enemies. But the original Greek word akribwv (ak-ree-boce) means correctly, accurately, consistently, or perfectly. We who have received the truth, are to be careful of our conduct; walk by the rule which God has given you. Show your principles, which are holy and good, by a corresponding conduct. Don’t only profess, but live the Gospel. As you embrace all its promises, be careful also to embrace all its precepts; and behave yourselves so, that your enemies may never be able to say that you are holy in your doctrines and profession, but irregular in your lives.

The phrase "Redeeming the time" exagorazomenoi ton kairon in verse 16 is a very descriptive one. It means to buy up those moments, which others seem to throw away. It means seizing opportunities, to rescue or recover our time from waste, thereby using the time wisely. Let time be your chief commodity; deal in that alone; buy it all up, and use every portion of it wisely to the glory of God. Time is that on which eternity depends.

I like what John Wesley had to say –

• Keys To The Wise Use Of Time

Romans 13:11-14 "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."

• Awake Out Of Sleep - 11

Sin makes the believer sleepy, lethargic, and indifferent about spiritual things. It makes us lukewarm and unconcerned about the cause of Christ. Hence, if we will be wise managers of our time, we will "awake" and get serious about the Christian life, living in constant expectation of the coming of our Lord.

• Cast Off The Works Of Darkness – 12a

"Cast off" is the Greek word αποθωμεθα (a-poth-o-me-tha), which means to take off as you would your pajamas in the morning. If you will manage your time wisely, you must take off all "the works of darkness" and abstain from doing them. Living a life of sin takes time. You must not waste your time sinning. Then, to replace these wicked works, you are to…

• Put On The Armor Of Light – 12b

"The armor of light" stands in contrast to the works of darkness. I believe that is a reference to the righteousness of Christ that we are clothed in the moment we trust Jesus Christ as our Savior.

• Walk Honestly – 13

"Honestly" is a translation of the Greek word euschmonwv (yoo-skhay-mon’-ose) which means decently. Our deportment (behavior) is to be decent, orderly, and appropriate, so that is does not bring reproach upon the name of Christ.

• Put On Christ & Make No Provisions For The Flesh - 14

Live for the Lord. No provision should be made for the encouragement and gratification of our old nature.

This is the way you manage your time wisely.