{"id":13421,"date":"2015-09-02T08:00:44","date_gmt":"2015-09-02T12:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/?p=13421"},"modified":"2023-06-07T09:20:36","modified_gmt":"2023-06-07T13:20:36","slug":"bible-time-use","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/bible-time-use.htm","title":{"rendered":"Bible Verses Guiding the Use of Our Time"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What does God’s Word say about how we should use our time?<\/p>\n

Here are some\u00a0Bible verses that can guide us in making\u00a0the most of the time we are given.\u00a0All of\u00a0the reference used herein do not specifically refer to time, but the use of time would be implied.<\/p>\n

Use your time responsibly as one accountable to the Lord not in bondage as a people-pleaser or mere lover of self.<\/strong><\/p>\n

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person\u2019s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Cor. 3:10-15)<\/em><\/p>\n

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:9-10)<\/em><\/p>\n

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Gal. 1:10)<\/em><\/p>\n

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (Eph. 4:1)<\/em><\/p>\n

Since you call on a Father who judges each person\u2019s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. … (1 Pet. 1:17-25)<\/em><\/p>\n

Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14-30)<\/em><\/p>\n

Use your time in God-honoring ways, making your goal to please to Him in all you do.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:20-21)<\/em><\/p>\n

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. (Rom. 13:11-14)<\/em><\/p>\n

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31)<\/em><\/p>\n

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:17)<\/em><\/p>\n

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. (1 Thess. 4:1)<\/em><\/p>\n

Use your time to its best advantage, investing it wisely, knowing that you will never get it back.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Eph. 5:15-16)<\/em><\/p>\n

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. (Col. 4:5)<\/em><\/p>\n

Parable of the Ten Virgins and their Oil Lamps (Matt. 25:1-13)<\/em><\/p>\n

Use your time to do good, not living merely for your own comfort and convenience.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal. 6:9-10)<\/em><\/p>\n

For we are God\u2019s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:10)<\/em><\/p>\n

Use your time productively, in ways that are beneficial.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. (Prov. 6:6-11)<\/em><\/p>\n

Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. (Prov. 20:4)<\/em><\/p>\n

“I have the right to do anything,” you say – but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” – but not everything is constructive. (1 Cor. 10:23)<\/em><\/p>\n

Use your time strategically and purposefully with everything in its proper time, not taking life for granted.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Ps. 90:12)<\/em><\/p>\n

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to … (Eccl. 3:1-11)<\/em><\/p>\n

Show me, LORD, my life\u2019s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. (Ps. 39:4-7)<\/em><\/p>\n

Use your time in full dependence on the Sovereign Lord, making His priorities yours.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. (Ps. 31:14-15)<\/em><\/p>\n

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Ps. 139:16)<\/em><\/p>\n

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. (Prov. 16:9)<\/em><\/p>\n

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord\u2019s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)<\/em><\/p>\n

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matt. 6:33)<\/em><\/p>\n

Use your time humbly as though each day was your last, knowing that God is in control<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. (Prov. 27:1)<\/em><\/p>\n

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord\u2019s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn\u2019t do it, it is sin for them. (James 4:14-17)<\/em><\/p>\n

For More Guidance on Time Use:<\/h2>\n