Time Stewardship

Matthew 8:18-22

I. Consider What You Are Following After and Why.

Many faithful disciples have adjusted their life’s schedule in order to please God.

As the apostle Paul says in 1 Cor.10:23 “all things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient.”

Example:

1110 Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions

Resolved, to live with all my might while I do live.

Resolved, never to lose one moment of time, to improve it in the most profitable way I can.

Resolved, never to do anything which I should despise or think meanly of in another.

Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.

Resolved, never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

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A. Do we only apply the law to our endeavors? Should we not consider whether it is good for me, and my relationship with God?

B. We should get off the path of least resistance, and examine the expedience of out time choices.

II. Consider What is Important to God.

Obviously, we know that our service is important to God, and I’ll get to that in a moment; however, do you know that God is interested in…

A. Our well being.

We don’t hear much about this in churches today.

We forget that as His children He desires the best for us.

Therefore, He’s concerned about our…

1. Health

As stewards we are responsible to take care of ourselves, and what we eat plays a great part in our overall health.

2. Mental alertness

3. Desires

B. Our service.

Everyone that volunteers to do anything in the church does it as unto the Lord.

I’ve noticed people who have given their time to some task within the church, look for recognition from me for a job well done.

Is it my church?

Does it matter what I think?

Do you need to impress me?

1. Our service is to the glory of God.

2. Our service is for the betterment of His church.

3. Our service is between thee and He.

III. Consider What Changes You Should Implement.

A. Become pro-active in freeing up time for God’s service.

1. Take inventory of your time.

2. Plan out everything you do with time constraints, but exercise sanity.

3. Consider what things suck up much of your time and see if they fall into God’s plan.

B. Apply, God’s standards from His word, to your daily schedule.

1. Take time to pray.

2. Take time to read and study.

Some would say that if I do that I’ll have less time available. Sounds logical, except that those who take time for God always seem to have more time for Him.

David Brenard found time to pray several hours a day, and accomplished more for God than most of his contemporaries put together.

Conclusion:

There would only be one reason why anyone would not desire to be a better steward of their time for the Lord, and that would be because of selfishness.

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[1]Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers (Garland TX: Bible Communications, 1996, c1979).