Time management is something that a lot of people struggle with. It can be tough to find the time to do everything you need, especially if you have a lot of responsibilities. If you fail with time management, you might wonder what the Bible says about it.
According to Ecclesiastes 3, “To everything, there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heaven.” This verse reminds us that we should be mindful of how we use our time wisely, for it won’t be wasted on things that don’t matter.
Also, Ephesians 5:16 says, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” This verse reminds us that we should be purposeful with our time because we don’t know how much time we have. Therefore, we should use our time to do essential things that will make a difference.
Why Is Time Important to God?
Time is important to God because it is a way for Him to measure our obedience. In Genesis, we see that the world’s creation took place over six days, and on the seventh day, God rested. This is significant because it shows us that God values time and He wants us to use it wisely.
The Bible also tells us to be diligent with our time because it is a precious commodity. In Psalm 90:12, we are told to “number our days” to gain a heart of wisdom. This means we should be mindful of how we spend our time because it is limited.
Unlike God, all people only have borrowed time. Therefore, our lives should be lived in such a way that honors God. This can be done by using our time wisely and not squandering it on unimportant things. For example, we should spend time reading the Bible, praying, and serving others. These things will please God and help us grow our faith in Him.
Time Management in the Bible’s Context
The Bible touches on the subject of time in different verses. Let us explore this concept within the different contexts below.
1. We must live every day with eternity in mind.
- “Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand the will of the Lord.” Ephesians 5:15-17 NRSV
- “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT
Indeed, we do not know the number of our days. Only God knows when our time on this earth will end. This is why the Bible tells us to make the most of the time we have been given. We should use it wisely to live in a way that glorifies God and witnesses His grace.
We must constantly seek God’s will for how we spend our time. We should not let the world dictate how we live our lives. Instead, we should put our priority on living for the glory of God. When we do this, we will positively impact the kingdom and be a testimony to God’s goodness.
2. We must not indulge in procrastination.
- “Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.” Prov. 27:1 NLT
- “Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do.” Prov. 6:4 NLT
- “Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” James 4:13-14 NLT
- “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.” Prov. 13:4
When faced with a new day and all the planning it entails, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. However, God has given us everything we need to avoid stress, worry, and disappointment. Through prayer, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit, we can discern God’s will for our lives and plan accordingly.
The Bible is clear that procrastination is a sin and that we should always have a backup plan. By acting on the thoughts and directions we discern from God, we can avoid stress and accomplish all He has called us to do.
Therefore, the next time you feel overwhelmed by your to-do list, take a step back and ask God to show you His plan for your day. With His help, you can accomplish everything He has called you to do.
3. Make sure you don’t overcommit.
- “Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one”. Matt. 5:37 NLT
The Bible has a lot to say about time management and how we should spend our time. The Book of Ecclesiastes says there is a time for everything, so we should make the most of our time on earth. The Book of Proverbs discusses the importance of planning and being diligent with our time. And the Book of Colossians tells us to redeem our time and to make the most of every opportunity so that we may grow in godliness.
These verses emphasize the importance of wise decision-making regarding how we spend our time. In today’s world, it is easy to overcommit and try to do too many things at once. But as Christians, we need to be wise with our time and use it in a way that glorifies God. Sometimes that means saying no to good things to focus on what is best for us and His kingdom.
Overcommitting can look like saying yes to every opportunity that comes our way, and it can also look like not taking the time to rest and recharge. When we do this, we overuse ourselves and become less effective in everything we do.
So how can we avoid over-committing? The first step is to be honest about how much time we have. We need to be realistic about what we can realistically accomplish in a day, week, or month. The second step is to learn to say no. It is okay to turn down opportunities, even good ones, if they would cause us to overextend ourselves.
4. Make sure you set a balance between rest and work.
- “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28
- “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Prov. 10:4
- “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Prov. 14:23
Neglecting to schedule rest and exercise in our lives is equivalent to ignoring our health. Our bodies were not designed to run on empty; we need time to refuel and recharge to maintain our physical and mental well-being. This is not just good advice from a medical perspective but also admonished in Scripture.
The Bible warns against laziness, but it is clear that this does not mean we should work ourselves to the bone without respite. Instead, we are called to pray for wisdom in finding the balance between work and rest. When we take the time to refresh and renew ourselves, we are better able to serve God and others with excellence.
Top 5 Bible Verses That Will Encourage Us to Practice Time Management
1. “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Prov. 16:9
Humans love to make a lot of plans. However, we should remember that the Lord ultimately determines our steps. We need to be flexible and open to His leading, even when it doesn’t make sense to us. Time management can help us be more efficient with the time we have been given, but ultimately, we need to trust that God is in control.
2. “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Ps. 90:12 NLT
This verse is an excellent reminder that our time here on earth is limited. We need to make the most of every day and not take our time for granted. Wisdom is something we can all strive for, no matter our age or stage in life. When we use our time wisely, we can accomplish much more than we ever thought possible.
For example, instead of spending hours watching television or surfing the internet, we could use that time to read our Bible, pray, or serve others. When we make wise choices with our time, we can grow in our relationship with God and make a difference in the lives of those around us.
3. “But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands.” Ps. 31:14-15 NLT
We never really know what the future holds for us because we’re not God. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, let alone in the next year. This can be scary, but we must remember that we serve a good and faithful God who knows everything. He knows what will happen in our future, and He has it all under control.
We need to trust Him with our future and not worry about it, as He is our God who will take care of us. We must focus on the present and live life to the fullest. We can do this by spending time with God, learning His Word, and obeying His commands.
4. “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecc. 3:11
This verse tells us that everything has its own time and that we must be patient. We also see that God has put eternity in our hearts, which means we are never satisfied with what we have. This is why time management is so important; if we don’t manage our time well, we will never be able to accomplish everything we want to.
To help us manage our time, the Bible gives us some principles to follow:
- Make the most of your time.
- Be careful how you use your time.
- Don’t waste your time.
- Use your time wisely.
- Don’t be lazy.
5. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5
God wants us to seek Him for His wisdom, such as time management. We can do this by praying to Him to help us manage our time better. He is faithful, just, and generous in providing for our needs, even though He might not answer us directly. For instance, He will give us the idea to wake up earlier in the morning so we can have more time to get things done. He will also help us use our time wisely throughout the day by giving us strength and energy when needed.
Bottom Line
Everyone needs to get better at managing their time, as it will be the key to being productive in life. The Bible can give us direction if we are struggling with managing it. By reading verses about the importance of time, we can better understand how to manage our time wisely.
According to Ecclesiastes 3, there is a time and a place for everything with a great purpose. This means that we should be prudent in how we use our time. We should also be patient and wait for the right time to do things according to God’s plan. Finally, we can always turn to God for guidance.
