• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Things Above Us

Missions - Evangelism - Theology - Sports

  • About TAU
    • Our Mission
    • The Gospel of Grace
    • Writers
    • Contact Us
    • Comment Policy
    • Attribution/Content Usage Policy
  • Resources
    • Before the Throne
    • From Death to Life
    • Our Tract
  • Articles/Blog Posts
    • Missions
    • Evangelism
    • Theology
    • Sports
    • Book Reviews
    • Kid’s Book Reviews
    • pSaturday Psalms
    • Movie Reviews
    • Go Therefore!
    • Something to Think About
  • Things Above Us Roundtable
  • Evangelio de Cristo
  • Store
    • Cart

Quit Wasting His Time!

November 15, 2018 by Michael Coughlin

Christians teach about the necessity of good stewardship regularly. Usually, this is in regards to money. But every gift from God is to be stewarded faithfully. Notice in  1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV) “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” I believe how we choose to use the time God has given us faithfully as good stewards is an appropriate application of this text, in a very real sense just as we are to be good stewards of resources such as money.

Aron

How To Think

Every child of God has been created by God for good works which He prepared beforehand (Eph 2:10). Our callings will be as varied as we are. Each of us is unique, so I will not try to create a list of rules others ought to follow because how I believe I am to spend the time God has granted me is different from how you ought.

But I believe we can apply biblical principles to encourage people to make the best use of their time (Eph 5:16), and thus glorify God in all they do. Here are some principles to consider when you are engaging in an activity to determine if you are living a life pleasing to God in Christ. I encourage you to review the scripture references provided.

  • Do everything to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31)
  • Know the will of God, that you may make the best us of your time (Eph 5:15-17)
  • Think ahead so that you may prevent things from obstructing you from staying on a good course (Proverbs 14:15)
  • Maintain proper focus on the will of God (Proverbs 4:25-27)

A general question one could ask themselves is “am I wasting God’s time right now?”

A Few Caveats

I am not saying that every one of us has to be working every moment of the day. I do believe that God has provided a sabbath day for us to rest from our work. Additionally, I am not opposed to enjoying the recreations God has given us that provide joy and refreshment. Each time you are having a nice meal, it isn’t reasonable to think to yourself that there is still more work to do for the Lord and thus, not enjoy the meal or family time.

The fact is that there will always be more work to do for the Lord until He comes and sets everything right (and even then we’ll work for Him). For now, we need to consider if each of our activities glorifies Him, and that can be done in many ways. “Setting your mind on things above” does not mean the same thing as “being so heavenly minded you are no earthly good” … read here.

So take recreation, but ask yourself – “Am I wasting God’s time right now or am I able to glorify Him through this?”

More importantly, I believe we can all push ourselves a little harder than we do. I’m convinced that God doesn’t desire that we are never exhausted. I think it is a virtuous thing for people (within reason) to push past normal desire for rest sometimes in order to serve the Lord. (Romans 12:11)

So, Go

Go and serve the Lord with fear and be diligent to question your motives. Do not be anxious, but put in some extra effort to evaluate how you use the time God has given you. Think of each moment as a gift He has provided, and commit to never wasting those gifts. Let even your rest be for His glory and designed to enjoy Him and prepare you for further service.

Compare the amount of time you spend with entertainment with your prayer time. Compare the amount of time you spend on social media or even reading good books with the time spent in His holy Word! Let His Spirit convict you as you seek to do His will.

You were made to do the good works he prepared for you, walk in them, dear brother or sister!

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Michael Coughlin

Michael Coughlin

Michael Coughlin lives near Columbus, OH, and leads local outreaches to glorify our Lord and reach the lost with the gospel. Michael’s joys are spending time with his dear wife and children, programming computers, and studying and discussing God’s Word. He is a member of Covenant Bible Church.

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: Christian Life, Devotional, reformed baptist, time management

Liked what you read? Subscribe!


Views expressed in posts are those of their individual authors and may not be shared by all writers on Things Above Us.

Primary Sidebar

On Sale Now

  • Before the Throne $17.00 $14.99
  • From Death to Life $14.99 $13.99

Subscribe To Things Above Us

Sign up for our RSS newsfeed and stay up-to-date with the latest blog posts on Things Above Us!

Things Above Us Roundtable

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Google Play | Stitcher | Email | RSS

Pull up a chair to the TAU Roundtable as the writers from ThingsAbove.Us and other special guests discuss current events, theology, missions, evangelism, and sports!

The Bible Memory App - Bible Memory Verses
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • An Age Old Question: What do you think about the End Times?
  • Justification, Mercy, and Propitiation
  • Ep. 047 | 2021 NFL Playoffs Week 3 — TAU Roundtable
  • Is Gambling Okay?
  • God’s Hatred of Sin and the Coming Judgment

The Team

Tim BatesTim Bates

Tim lives in Akron, Ohio with his wife, Melanie and two children, Calvin and Caroline. He serves as a deacon, teacher...

Reflections on a World Without Sports
Michael CoughlinMichael Coughlin

Michael Coughlin lives near Columbus, OH, and leads local outreaches to glorify our Lord and reach the lost with...

Is Gambling Okay?
Justin BullingtonJustin Bullington

Justin Bullington is the husband of Deb, a father of four, the Associate Pastor at Princeton Bible Church, a 6th...

When Should We Officially Ditch a Christian Content Creator?
Chuck IveyChuck Ivey

By God’s grace, Chuck Ivey grew up in a Christian home and came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a y...

Book Review — Zondervan Single Column Reference Premier Collection
George AlvaradoGeorge Alvarado

George Alvarado is an almost retired member of our Armed Forces (yes, he's older than he looks). He has a beautiful w...

A Open Letter to Afflicted Saints
Allen Nelson IVAllen Nelson IV

Allen S. Nelson IV is the pastor of Perryville Second Baptist Church in Perryville, Arkansas. He and his wife Steph...

An Age Old Question: What do you think about the End Times?
Garrett O’HaraGarrett O’Hara

Garrett appears to have originated the term, but not the theology, "dispybapticalvinistic-expialidocious." He ...

Justification, Mercy, and Propitiation

Click a term to see related posts.

Adoption atonement Bible book review Cessationism children Christian Life Christmas Chuck Ivey church conversion Culture Devotional discipleship egalitarianism evangelism Foster Care From death to life Genesis gospel grace imputation Jesus local church love Marriage mercy NFL preaching propitiation Psalm 119 Psalms reformed baptist Reformed Baptist Theology reformed theology Roundtable sanctification scripture sin sola scriptura Something To Think About Suffering theology Things Above Us worship

Click the image below if you got one of these cards.

Other Posts You May Like…

Pray for USS Bonhomme Richard

Many questions remain following the major fire that consumed much of the inside of USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6). I served seven years in the surface side of the Navy and even visited Bonhomme Richard herself at one point (not as a tourist), but it would be inappropriate to speculate concerning the cause of the fire here. What […]

Ep. 007 | Matthew 13 Parables — TAU Roundtable

In TAU Roundtable 007, the guys talk about parables from Matthew 13. What are parables? Why did Jesus use them? And how do we apply them to our lives? Then the team gives their sports hot takes.

I Still Believe: Official Movie Review (No Spoilers)

I Still Believe Jeremy Camp is a singer and songwriter who is popular in the Contemporary Christian Music scene. I believe his music is more Christ-centered and explicitly Christian than most of what is produced in the 21st century under the heading of “Christian.” To my knowledge, he hasn’t disqualified himself or brought public reproach […]

No One Understands Like Jesus

The idea that a shared experience is necessary for someone to be truly able to help another person is a pretty commonly held belief. It seems to be a truism that someone who has “been there” is able to empathize with an affliction you are suffering in a way others may not. But the idea that […]

9 Common Emotional/Situational Pornography Triggers

Of all my years counseling Christians and non about the dangers of pornography, there are 9 common emotional and situational patterns that trigger porn use. Some of these are simply symptoms of a deeper problem, meanwhile others only serve to justify a depraved craving. I don’t want to harshly judge those who have fought tooth […]

Go, Therefore: Praying Before Meals

“Go, Therefore” posts are quick tips to help Christians live lives of evangelism. At a Restaurant When you go to a restaurant to eat and pray publicly, folks around you will notice. Now this isn’t necessarily evangelism, but when we pray publicly, it does remind people about God. Don’t pray “just to be seen by others” […]

2018 © Things Above Us

Copyright © 2021 · Things Above Us on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in