“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces”. Matthew 7:6
How do you spend your time? Are you proactive toward the eternal or reactive toward the temporal? Does Jesus get the first fruits of your time, energy, talents and money, or the leftovers? What does your calendar reflect? Is there enough white space to handle God’s interruptions? Time is finite, so wisely use it to accomplish infinite results.
Beware of distractions or attractions that feel like you are wasting time. Maybe you have a family member who has gone beyond the point of listening to your good intentions. Instead of fretting over their focus on absurdity, spend more time fasting and praying for them. Quietly involve your family in corporate prayer on behave of another relative who is in relational chaos. Be wise to not waste time arguing, but redeem the time asking God.
In the workplace give added responsibilities to the faithful and avoid promotions for those who are constantly engaged in drama. As a leader your responsibility is to make better the grateful and loyal team members, and not be consumed or angered by the unappreciative. Reserve your reproofs for those who will take it to heart, and change. Be wise and not be drawn into the influence of those in chronic turmoil. Give quantity time to quality people, because the unkind do not always react kindly to kindness.
Even in sharing the gospel there are some who only want to argue their point. Dismiss their combative conversations and move on to those more open to truth. The lost are loved to Jesus and enticed by truth, but they will not be debated into belief. “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work” (2 John 1:10-11).
Time is a treasure, so steward it with prayer. Invest in others who can invest in others. “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). The pearls of Providence deserve the best people and places for your investment of time and energy.
With whom do I need to cut back my time, and trust God to change them? What project or program needs to be cut loose and replaced with a more productive strategy?
Related Readings: Ecclesiastes 8:5; 3:1-11; Luke 12:42; John 4:1-42
Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey
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