“Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.” Proverbs 3:9
“What is worth your time?” This question has weighed heavily on me recently. Time is one of, if not the greatest resource we are given. Even though it is limited, we often spend it quite carelessly, especially those of us in America. We are consumed with the cares of this life. We watch as our jobs, houses, cars, air conditioners, and so much more consume our time and money, without us even realizing it. There is a saying that goes something like “the more you own, the more it owns you.” We have so much here, yet we spend our resources on worldly things that will not further the growth of His Kingdom nor lead us there. The Lord has revealed to me that many of the normal things in the average American lifestyle, at their root, are entirely wastes of our time as followers of Christ.
In 1 Samuel, we see the story of a man named Saul, who was God’s anointed and chosen king of Israel. Saul over time changed his priorities from serving God, to keeping his power. The Lord had blessed him with his position because of his humility, yet that was the very thing he gave up to keep his crown. Saul became more and more sinful, and even caused the people of Israel to sin. He was violently protective of his kingship. This story is a snapshot into the nature of mankind. What is precious to us is what we will devote our time, money, and thoughts to. Through the power of sanctification, the Lord has blessed us with the power to make Him our first priority, and the ability to live that out. If we are righteous, then we will do the works of righteousness and be laborers for God. Our time and our efforts are a reflection of who we serve and display to others the intentions of our hearts.
There is a world full of people who do not know Jesus. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14. We are given the responsibility to tell the world about Jesus. Our efforts must go towards making more disciples for Christ. The Lord has placed this on my heart to share so that others may begin to spend their time righteously and not wastefully. I have been guilty of wasting some of the precious time that the Lord has blessed me with. With the society we are faced with here in America, it will take much time and effort to reach the hearts of men. Our culture seems to grow deeper into sin. While church is a major blessing, the people of this world aren’t going to show up there if we do not show up for them outside of the church’s walls. The plan is simple: spend time with others in an effort to teach them about Jesus. “Little is much if God is in it.” There is nothing more worth our time than growing His kingdom.
