◆“Stewardship I – Time” (Ephesians 5:15-16, Psalm 90:12) October 5, 2025

Starting today, for the next three Sundays, we will learn from the Bible about “Christian Stewardship.” On the third Sunday, October 19th, we will also have our retreat. The retreat will be built upon these three weeks of messages.

Although what I share is primarily for Christians, I also hope that those who do not yet know Jesus may feel the beauty of the Christian life.

The word “stewardship” is often used in the business world, defined as:
“The responsibility of managing property or assets. Specifically, managing and utilizing them appropriately to promote long-term value creation.”

In simpler terms, stewardship means using and managing resources for a purpose.

For Christians, what are these resources? There are many, but today we will focus on three: time, possessions (money, property, etc.), and gifts (talents and abilities).

The purpose of stewardship is that we serve Christ, build up the church, and ultimately glorify God.

We will take one at a time. Today: time. Next week: possessions. The following week: gifts.

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Whose time is it?

Let me ask: Whose time is it? Is it yours? Is it someone else’s?

When we work under an employer, our time feels like it belongs to others. In our free time, it seems to be ours. But Scripture teaches that time belongs to God. Your time is God’s time.

Your time begins at birth and ends at death. Ecclesiastes 3:2 says: “There is a time to be born and a time to die.” Verse 1 says: “There is a time for everything.”

So, God is the Lord of time. Time belongs to Him. We are not the owners of our time; rather, God has entrusted it to us to manage and steward.

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Time equally given

Time is equally given to all. Each day has 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400 seconds. No one has 50 hours in a day, while another has only 3.

Of course, the length of life differs—some short, some long. For parents who have lost a child, this truth is painful. And yet, even a short life is within God’s plan. I have heard parents testify that though their child’s life was brief, that child’s way of living still encourages them today. That child left behind a message through their life.

Therefore, the length of life does not determine its value. A short life can be full and complete, while a long life may still feel unfulfilled.

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Investment or waste

So, how do we use this equally given time? This is the stewardship of time. The choice is simple: Do we invest our time, or do we waste it?

Invested time remains for eternity. Wasted time disappears.

Invested time is time spent in worship. Romans 12:1-2 says:

“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Here “bodies” can be understood as the way we use our time. Offer your time as a living sacrifice. That is worship.

Worship is not only Sunday at church; all of life, every day, can be worship.

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How to invest time

How, then, can we invest our time as worship?

1. Devotional time
   Take time in the morning to pray and read Scripture. Some may have an hour, some only ten minutes. The important thing is consistency. Excuses are easy to find—busy schedules, fatigue. But when we choose to make time for God, He provides. I remember during my busy working years, I prayed for more time to prepare for Sunday school teaching. God answered: I could rest fully in six hours instead of eight. Devotional time is where we meet God, are spiritually renewed, and receive strength.
2. Work time
   Work may seem only for earning a living or leisure, but Genesis 2:15 says: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Work itself is part of God’s design. Colossians 3:23-24 reminds us: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” We may serve an earthly boss, but ultimately, we serve the Lord through our work.
3. Enjoyment time
   Time with family and friends, hobbies, travel—these too are part of God’s will. Isaiah 65:18 says: “Be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create.” God delights when His people enjoy life.
4. Rest time
   God Himself rested on the seventh day. He commands us to rest as well. True rest may mean turning off your phone, stepping away from the internet, walking outside, enjoying nature, reading a book. Rest is also worship.

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What is wasted time?

Wasted time is when God is absent from our awareness. It is when worry, anxiety, or fear dominate us. Worry itself is not evil—without it, we might ignore danger. But when it controls us, time is wasted.

And yet, even wasted time can turn into invested time when we turn our hearts toward God. Like light breaking through darkness, God can transform wasted time into eternal remembrance.

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In conclusion

Let us remember two things:

• The beginning and end of the day matter. Ending the day with fear or negativity makes the next morning heavy. Ending the day with thanksgiving, entrusting tomorrow to God, makes the morning bright. “There was evening, and there was morning” (Genesis)—evening leads into morning.
• Set your priorities right. In English we say, “Get your priorities right.” And the first priority is worship. Not “I’m too busy, I’ll skip this week.” No, put fellowship with God first, and start your week in worship.

Finally, Matthew 6:33 says:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

This is the stewardship of time.

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Sermon script modified based on proofreading and translation with ChatGPT.