Time Is Our Most Valuable Possession

by Barbara Latta

Time can't be bought with money

Spring forward, fall back. We gain an hour, we lose an hour. If you haven’t done it yet, today is the day. The day time is manipulated with the goal of …what? I’m not sure anymore, but I think when this was first instigated, it was supposed to save electricity by having more daylight hours available after people came home from work. If it were left up to me, the time would stay the same in the summer as in the winter. I wish we could just leave it alone.

No matter what the reason, nothing changes the fact that we all have 24 hours in every day, 60 minutes in each hour, 60 seconds in each minute.

We spend money. We work to make more. We wear our clothes until they go out of style, then we buy more. We buy newer vehicles, more food, tools, electronics, and furniture. Everything we use in our lives can be replaced—except time.

Time is the one commodity that gets used up and can’t be replaced. We can’t go to work and earn more time the way we earn more money. For this reason, we should treasure our golden nuggets of opportunities for living.

Productivity is part of God's plan

Productivity is part of God’s plan. He told the man he created to tend the garden and care for it (Genesis 2:15). Jesus used a parable about workers tending to a masters money and said to occupy till I come (Luke 19:13). In eternity we will not be idle, floating around on a cloud with a harp; we will be serving and worshipping God for eternity (Revelation 22:3).

But that doesn’t mean we have to work all the time. I used to feel guilty if I took time to sit down and read a book or magazine. My mind would tell me about all the things I needed to do. But I finally realized relaxation is a part of life as much as work because resting and play are necessary for healing, clear thinking and growth. Relaxation is not the same thing as laziness. Jesus told his disciples on several occasions to come away and rest a while (Mark 6:31).

We all are filled with responsibilities and obligations and we need to fulfill those needs productively. Using our time wisely simply means not living in despair, depression, anger,

Relaxation is important too

bitterness, or fear. These are time stealers which take away moments that could have been spent blessing someone or receiving a blessing ourselves.

We can know we are fulfilling the will of God in our daily activities if we are in communion with Him and following His directives about our calendars and we are keeping our minds stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3).

What does time mean to you and what are some of your favorite things to do? How do you feel about Daylight Savings Time?