Hillside Messenger
Hillside Presbyterian Church Newsletter
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Becca Ehrlich, AKA The Christian Minimalist, is striving to be a Christian minimalist in a consumer society. She currently lives in New York City with her husband Will.
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Time is one of the greatest gifts that God has given us. We all know that our time on this earth is short– but too often, we live our lives as if it is unlimited.
The Bible tells us three major things about God’s gift of time:
Time is not infinite
For humans, time is a limited gift from God. We don’t typically know how much time we have left here on earth– but we do know that at some point, our time on this side of existence will end. Too often we put things off, thinking that we will have lots of time to get to them later. But as is written in James 4:14, “Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
In the grand scheme of history, our lives are short. The prayer in Psalm 39:4-5 reminds us of this:
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Lord, let me know my end,
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.
You have made my days a few handbreadths,
and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight.
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Time is valuable
Because our time on earth is limited, it follows that time is valuable. A famous Bible verse, Psalm 90:12, asks God:
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So, teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. |
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In other words, our time is so short and valuable that we should be aware of how few days we have and use them to gain wisdom in our spiritual lives.
But, we are not just called by God to use our valuable time for our own spiritual gain. We are also called to use our time for others. Colossians 4:5 offers this advice: “Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.” We are called to work with those outside the fold of Jesus, showing them Jesus’ love and helping them experience that love.
Time is to be used intentionally
You may have noticed that a word that is repeated in more than one of the Bible verses above is “wise.” This is because God is calling us to use our short, valuable time in wise and intentional ways, in line with God’s purpose for us.
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Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17) |
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We are called to use our time intentionally and wisely, listening for guidance on how God wants us to spend our time. We are to make the most of the time that God has gifted us. We are able to do this because God continually leads us and loves us as we use our short, God-give time: |
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As for mortals, their days are like grass;
they flourish like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments. (Psalm 103:15-18)
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God’s everlasting love is what enables us to use our short, valuable time intentionally, serving God and serving others. And when we use our time deliberately in God’s service, we are passing our wise use of time down through the generations. In this way, future generations will also be intentional about their use of God-given time.
We are invited not to take our time on earth for granted, but to use it to build up God’s kingdom. God is calling us to not squander the gift of time, but to recognize its limit and value and be deliberate in how we use it.
God has given us the gift of time. How is God inviting you to use your gift of time more wisely?
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If you haven’t, it is now time to prepare your Time and Talent Pledge form for mailing. While this article is specifically focused on the stewardship of time, please send your financial pledge form also.
Stewardship Forms Available Online
Click here to view and print a pledge card to indicate your financial pledge.
Click here to view and print a Time and Talent worksheet.
Elder Lelia Crawford
Stewardship Subcommittee
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Hillside Presbyterian Church Mission Statement |
The mission of Hillside Presbyterian Church is that of the church universal: to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ for the salvation of humankind. We are committed to being an inclusive, intergenerational church by creating a caring, Christian community. Hillside reaches out to diverse ethnic and religious groups in our community and beyond to foster a better understanding of all people. We are a servant people, responding to those in need, doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God. |
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