Does the Bible say anything about time management?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Most people think of time management as applied to the way to spend their day. Though the Bible gives advice and guidance on how to order our day, God is much more interested in the entire life of a person. Time is short, and because of this time management is important. The Bible provides principles for time management that emphasize the importance of ordering our lives according to God's Word. It teaches us to recognize the brevity of life, urging us to use our time wisely (Psalm 90:12; James 4:14). Both the Old and New Testaments encourage hard work and the avoidance of slothfulness, highlighting that our actions will be tested for their eternal significance (1 Corinthians 3:12–15; Colossians 3:23–24). Ultimately, managing our time effectively, grounded in biblical wisdom, leads to a more meaningful and intentional life and reveals what is in our hearts.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Moses prayed, "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). Time dwindles. Our lives are brief. We want to use our time wisely.
• David wrote, "O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!" (Psalm 39:4–5).
• The Bible talks about working hard and avoiding slothfulness (Proverbs 6:10–11; 12:24; 13:4).
• Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 teaches that there is a time for everything. The book encourages us to prioritize eternal values over fleeting pursuits, reminding us to use time wisely by focusing on what truly matters.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Paul instructs in Ephesians 5:15–16, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." We are called to use our time wisely because the world around us is evil.
• James 4:14 says, "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." We simply do not know how much time on this earth we have.
• The Bible says that what we do will be tested: "Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire" (1 Corinthians 3:12–15). We should spend our time on things of eternal worth.
• Like the Old Testament, the New Testament also calls us to work hard and avoid slothfulness (Colossians 3:22–24; 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12).
• The New Testament gives some advice about how to order our days: we are called to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17), to stewardship (Matthew 25:14–30), to the need for rest (Hebrews 4:9–11; Mark 2:27–28), to doing good to others (Galatians 6:9–10; 2 Thessalonians 3:13), to being salt and light to the world around us (Matthew 5:13–16), to fellowshipping with other believers (Hebrews 10:24–25), to sharing the gospel (Matthew 28:18–20), and more.
• The entire Bible offers us counsel for how to manage our time (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
• God has equipped us with all we need to live godly lives (2 Peter 1:3–11).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Managing our time effectively is a crucial aspect of living a fulfilling life, and the Bible offers valuable insights into this discipline. It encourages us to recognize the brevity of life and the importance of using our time wisely. By recognizing this, we can prioritize our daily schedules with God's principles—such as prioritizing prayer, rest, and service to others—ensuring that our time is spent on pursuits that have eternal significance. In a world that often pulls us in many directions, we must resist the temptation to fill our days with trivial activities and instead focus on what matters most: loving God and loving others. Ultimately, good time management, rooted in biblical wisdom, allows us to live intentionally, creating space for growth and providing meaning to our lives.

UNDERSTAND

• Recognizing that life is fleeting encourages us to use our time wisely.
• We should prioritize our time with things that are honoring to God.
• Our time management reveals what is in our hearts.

REFLECT

• How does recognizing the brevity of life influence the way you prioritize your daily activities?
• In what areas of your life do you feel you could better align your time management with God’s purposes?
• What does proper time management look like in your life? How do you know when you’re not managing your time well?

ENGAGE

• How can we encourage one another to make better use of our time according to biblical teachings?
• What are some practical steps we can take to integrate prayer and rest into our daily schedules while still fulfilling our responsibilities?
• How does our understanding of eternal significance shape our perspective on daily tasks and time management? What contrasts do you see in a biblical view of time and our culture’s view of time management?