Time is our most valuable asset. Without time we could not accomplish anything. The scriptures tell us in Psalms 90:10 the days of our years are three score and ten. But, as we look around there are many who don't make it to 70 years, for some of us only 15, or less, some 20 and more. For each life, God has set a time for dying and after that the judgment. It is not so important how long we live, but how good we live.

     God has allotted us a period of time to serve Him. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 says, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; fear God and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man."

     In Ephesians 5:16 it speaks about redeeming our time, that is, to make good use of our time. So we walk cautiously; not as fools, but as wise servants.

     Remember in Mark chapter four; the parable of the sower, how the sower went out to sow. Some seed fell by the wayside, some fell on stony ground, some fell among thorns and some fell on good ground where it sprung up and yielded fruit. When we use our time wisely, not wasting it away on the ways of unrighteousness and sins of this world, we can be the seed that fell on good ground where we produce good fruits for the cause of Christ and His church.

     How sad it is when we see our youth waste the precious commodity of time on non-productive living. Read how the prodigal son wasted away his inheritance on riotous living and became so poor as to eat with the swine.

     Ecclesiastes 12:1 reads, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them."

     Paul told Timothy, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation [manner of life], in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." If only we could meditate on this and carry it with us in our daily living, how profitable our time could be spent.

     Happy was the old man who told his children to look sharp, act sharp, and be sharp, as they followed the example he set. So must we set the example of Christianity to the lost and dying world in sin.

     Yes, remember now our Creator and our service to Him in faithful duty. In all things show yourself as a pattern of good works in sound responsibility that cannot be condemned, redeeming the time, that no matter whether we have 15 years, 20 years or three score and ten years, when we stand before God, He can say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."

Elder of the Church
Murray Road Church of Christ