Giving, of time

People are stewards of a deposit of time given by God, and will be held responsible for the way in which they use it.

Time is governed by God

God determines every lifespan

Job 14:5 See also Psalm 31:15, Psalm 74:16–17, Psalm 139:16; Acts 17:26

Since his days are determined and the number of his months is with You, and since You have set limits that he cannot exceed,

God will demand an account of how time has been spent

Ecclesiastes 3:17 See also Matthew 12:36; 1 Peter 4:3–5

I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every deed.”

Time may be squandered

In ungodly living

1 Peter 4:3 See also Joel 2:25; Ephesians 2:2–3; Colossians 3:5–7

For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.

By neglecting God-given opportunities

Jeremiah 8:20 See also Proverbs 20:4; Matthew 25:11–12; Luke 13:25, Luke 19:44; Acts 24:25; Revelation 2:21

“The harvest has passed, the summer has ended, but we have not been saved.”

Time may be saved

By understanding its brevity

Psalm 90:12 See also John 12:35; 1 Corinthians 7:29–31

So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.

By remembering its uncertainty

John 9:4 See also Ecclesiastes 8:5–7; James 4:13–15

While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

By making the most of present opportunities

Ephesians 5:16 See also Psalm 32:6; Ecclesiastes 12:1; Esther 4:14; Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15; 2 Corinthians 6:1–2; Galatians 6:10; Colossians 4:5; Hebrews 3:7–13

redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

By allocating it wisely

1 Chronicles 12:32 See also Exodus 18:13–26; Acts 6:1–4

From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their kinsmen at their command.

Time is to be spent wisely

In worship and meditation

Psalm 119:164 See also Psalm 4:4, Psalm 55:17; Lamentations 3:40; Daniel 6:10, Daniel 6:13; Mark 1:35; 1 Corinthians 11:28

Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous judgments.

In work

Psalm 104:23 See also Exodus 20:9 parallel Deuteronomy 5:13; Romans 13:6

Man goes forth to his work and to his labor until evening.

In rest

Exodus 20:8–10 See also Leviticus 16:29; Mark 6:31

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work— neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates.

With one's family

Deuteronomy 24:5 See also Deuteronomy 6:7; Ecclesiastes 9:9; 1 Timothy 3:4

If a man is newly married, he must not be sent to war or be pressed into any duty. For one year he is free to stay at home and bring joy to the wife he has married.

In fellowship

1 Corinthians 16:7 See also Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25

For I do not want to see you now only in passing; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

Time is to be allocated according to priorities

Luke 10:41–42 See also Psalm 1:1–3; Haggai 1:2–4; Matthew 6:33; Acts 13:46–47, Acts 17:16–17

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”