The Stewardship of Time

Psalm 90:12 – “So teach us to consider our mortality, so that we might live wisely.”

Time is one of the most precious gifts God has given us — but also one of the most misused. In Psalm 90, Moses reflects on the greatness of God and the brevity of human life. His prayer is simple yet profound: “Lord, teach us to number our days.” In other words, help us steward our time with eternal purpose.

Why Time Stewardship Matters

Time is short. Our days are numbered. And yet, many of us live like we have forever. Moses didn’t just want to live long — he wanted to live wisely, with intentionality and eternal impact.

So how do we do that?

Why We Mismanage Time

Here are four common reasons people are constantly busy yet spiritually stagnant:

1. Ego

Some use busyness to feel important. A full calendar becomes a badge of honor, but not necessarily a sign of fruitfulness. We confuse activity with significance.

2. Avoidance of Responsibility

Sometimes, we stay busy to avoid doing the hard work — like deep study of the Word or real self-examination. It’s easier to look productive than to be purposeful.

3. Greed & Misplaced Priorities

We chase money, status, or security, thinking the next raise or possession will satisfy. But greed can easily consume our time and shift our focus away from God’s Kingdom.

4. People-Pleasing

We say “yes” to everything out of fear of disappointing others. But when our time isn’t guided by God’s priorities, it becomes controlled by others’ demands — and we lose clarity on our mission.

A Biblical Example: Acts 6:1–7

When the early church faced growing needs, the apostles made a tough but wise decision: they delegated. Why? Because their primary calling was to devote themselves to prayer and teaching the Word.

This wasn’t arrogance — it was focus. They knew their assignment and protected their time so they could fulfill it. The result? The church flourished.

Stewarding Your Time Wisely

Time stewardship isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what matters most. Here’s how:

✅ Clarify Your Mission:What has God called you to do? Let that define how you spend your time.

✅ Set Biblical Goals:Break your mission into clear short-term and long-term goals. Let every activity support your God-given purpose.

✅ Evaluate Your Calendar:Ask: “Is this drawing me closer to God’s purpose, or just keeping me busy?”

✅ Include Rest and Reflection:Time with God, family, rest, and even recreation — these aren’t distractions. They’re part of a balanced, God-honoring life.

Final Thought

We don’t get to control how many days we have — but we can choose how we live them. Steward your time like your life depends on it. Because in light of eternity… it truly does.

“Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may live wisely.”