Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mr 8:37

Time is the interval during which we can sin (indulge our desires) or get blessed (invest in our priorities).

I. Our Time Isn’t Our Own

1Co 6:19 ...you are not your own 20  For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.  (See Faithfulness and Good Stew 8/98)

II. We Have All The Time There Is And Will Have To Give An Account For Faithfully Using It According To God’s Purposes

A. God works on a timetable  Jn 7:6  Then Jesus said: My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready. Mk 1:15 Ga 4:4

B.  God has a timetable for us

Ac 17:31  Because he has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man...

Lu 19:44  And shall lay thee even with the ground...because thou knew not the time of thy visitation.

Lu 21:34  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

Ro 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

C. Sometimes we don’t get a second chance

Jas 4:14  you know not what shall be tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.

Ec 9:10  Whatever you find to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, where you go

1Pe 1:17  And since you call on the Father, who judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Lu 12:40  Be you therefore ready also: for the Son of man comes at an hour when you think not.

III. Make Most Of Time By Walking In Wisdom

Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Eph 5:15  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17  Wherefore be you not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

A. Number Days & Apply Heart to Wisdom  [Pick right objectives and right means of attaining those objectives]

Ps 90:9...we spend our years as a tale that is told 10 The days of our years are 70;  if by reason of strength 80, yet is their strength TOYL and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11  Who knows the power of your anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. (or present a heart {decision making} of wisdom)

De 32:29  O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

B. Priorities (God’s will) Need To Be Determined By Prayer Mark 1:35

C. Our Objectives-Not People Should Control Our Time Ac 18:20  When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not

Jn 9:4  I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work.

IV. Don’t Spend, Kill Or Waste Time, But Rather Invest It In:   Life Purpose & Plan; Objectives; Goals, Priorities

(God {spiritual growth}, spouse, children, ministry {relationships}), work {personal growth}, leisure/recreation)

- Ac 17:21all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing

- 1Pe 4:2 no longer should live the rest of time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, reveling, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

-  Jude 1:18  How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

+Ministry 1Ti 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

+Growth Heb 5:12  For when for the time you ought to be teachers, yea have need that one teach you again he first principles...

+Reward Ro 8:18 I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us

V. Manage The Minutes And The Years Will Take Care Of Themselves

No goals = no Lordship?; ¼ goals = no review?; ½ goals = no sacrifice?; ¾ goals = no complaints; All goals = no challenge?

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What are some of the biggest misuses of time? How can we eliminate these from our lives? How can you save time?

2. If we always have all the time we need to do God’s will, how can we possibly run out of time? 2Cor 9:8

3. Does God hold us accountable for results or the use of our time?

4. Would having more time help you be more faithful in its use? Have you ever considered tithing your time as a sign of God’s ownership?

5. For what will you exchange the 604,800 moments God will give you this week? (223,200 completely discretionary)