Bible Questions and Answers

Time management consists of making the best use of our time.

Those who have obeyed the gospel and been baptised into Christ are exhorted to spend their lives doing the will of God and not their own will.  In practice it means that we must use our time to do that which is good and cease from spending time doing that which is evil.

Ephesians 5:1 ESV Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not associate with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Our priority is to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness...

It follows that we must allocate part of our day to reading the word of God in a systematic way. The only source of knowledge about the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness is the Bible. We will not find it anywhere else.

We must allocate time for prayer.

Luke 18:1... (Jesus) spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Paul says:

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Daniel, a man greatly beloved of God, sets an example:

Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

David in one of his Messianic psalms says:

Psalms 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

We are baptised into a body and we need to allocate time for fellowship. We must meet with brethren and sisters in Christ to break bread; attend Bible class and any other activities. By our presence we have our part in the edification of the body.

The early converts set the example:

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The writer to the Hebrews exhorts:

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

We are to use our talents wisely, not ‘bury them in the earth’.

Matthew 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

We are to avoid being lazy in our service.

Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

Proverbs 24:30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. 32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. 33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Getting our priorities right is important.

Matthew 22:37...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Our labour for Christ should take priority over our family.

Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Our own wants should come last.

Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

How we manage our time at a practical level, calendars, diaries etc is an individual matter. We have differing talents and social skills and can only do what we are capable of. We must try to do everything to give glory to God.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

I hope you have found this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn