What is the relationship of humans and time?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible teaches that time is not something humans own or control—it is a gift from the eternal God who created it and rules over every moment (Genesis 1:14–18; Psalm 90:2). Because our lives are brief, the Bible calls us to “number our days” and to live with wisdom (Psalm 90:10–12; Ecclesiastes 3:1–11). God’s timing is always purposeful, even when we have to wait for His promises, as seen in the lives of Abraham, Joseph, and Israel (Genesis 21:1–7; Genesis 50:20). And even when those promises seem to take forever, Jesus revealed that history is moving exactly according to God’s plan, coming “when the fullness of time had come” to accomplish salvation through His life, death, and resurrection (Galatians 4:4–5; Acts 2:23). Because our time on earth is limited, Jesus calls us to live with eternal priorities, storing up treasures in heaven rather than being consumed by temporary things (Matthew 6:19–21). Paul commands believers to “make the best use of the time” by walking wisely, using their days to know Christ, serve others, and reflect Him to the world (Ephesians 5:15–16; Colossians 4:5). We cannot seek to hold onto earthly time forever but to faithfully steward the time God has given while looking forward to the eternal life He has promised (John 11:25–26; Revelation 21:1–4).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Time is not something humans control or something that exists independently of God; it is part of His created order, created for us. God created the sun, moon, and seasons to mark days, years, and appointed times (Genesis 1:14–18).
• As Creator, God stands above time and rules over its beginning and end (Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 46:10).
• Unlike God, who is eternal, humans have a beginning and an end. Psalm 90:10–12 describes human life as brief and asks God to teach His people to “number our days,” so they may gain wisdom. The brevity of life reminds us that our time is a gift to steward, not something we own.
• Ecclesiastes teaches that there is “a time for everything” under heaven: a time to be born, die, plant, harvest, weep, laugh, and build (Ecclesiastes 3:1–8). These seasons reveal that God is sovereign over the rhythms of life, even when humans do not fully understand His timing (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
• Throughout Scripture, people wrestled with waiting for God’s promises. Abraham waited years for the promised son (Genesis 12:1–3; 21:1–7). Joseph endured years of slavery and imprisonment before God fulfilled His purposes (Genesis 50:20). Israel waited generations for God’s promised deliverance. God’s timing is often different from human expectations, but His purposes are always faithful.
• Wisdom literature repeatedly calls God's people to live intentionally. Proverbs warns against laziness and wasting opportunities (Proverbs 6:6–11), while Psalm 1 describes the wise person as someone who continually delights in and meditates on God’s Word (Psalm 1:1–3). How people use their time reveals what they value.
• Time is not just a collection of moments—it is the story in which God is working out His purposes through generations, and we are called to remember and express what He has done. Israel was commanded to remember God’s works and pass His faithfulness from one generation to the next (Deuteronomy 6:6–9; Psalm 78:4–7).
• The prophets looked forward to a day when God would renew creation and bring lasting peace and restoration (Isaiah 65:17–19). Human time is temporary, but God’s promises extend beyond the present age.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus entered the world “when the fullness of time had come” according to God’s plan (Galatians 4:4–5). His life, death, and resurrection occurred at God’s appointed time (Acts 2:23). The coming of Christ shows that history is not random; it is moving toward God’s purposes.
• Jesus repeatedly taught His followers to live with urgency and faithfulness because life is temporary and His return is certain. He warned against being consumed with earthly concerns and called His followers to seek first God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:31–33). The parables of Jesus emphasize that people will give an account for how they used what God entrusted to them (Matthew 25:14–30).
• Christians are called to redeem the time by living with wisdom and eternal perspective. Paul urges believers to “look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15–16). Redeeming the time means recognizing that our days are a gift from God and intentionally using them for what matters eternally—knowing Christ, serving others, and fulfilling God’s purposes. Paul repeats this idea by encouraging believers to “walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time” (Colossians 4:5), reminding Christians that how we spend our time is part of our witness to the world.
• Jesus taught that earthly treasures fade but treasures in heaven last forever (Matthew 6:19–21) therefore time should be shaped by eternity, not temporary desires. Paul similarly reminds believers to focus on things above because earthly circumstances are temporary while God’s kingdom is eternal (Colossians 3:1–4; 2 Corinthians 4:18).
  
• Spiritual growth often happens through seasons of waiting as God develops perseverance and maturity (Romans 5:3–5; James 1:2–4).
• Though our time on earth is short, death does not have the final word for those in Christ. Jesus promises eternal life to those who believe in Him (John 3:16; 11:25–26). Revelation describes the future when God will dwell with His people forever, removing death, sorrow, and suffering (Revelation 21:1–4). The believer’s ultimate hope is not to extend earthly time forever but to enter God’s eternal presence.
• Humans live within time, but God rules over time. Christians are called to use their limited days faithfully, knowing that every moment is an opportunity to glorify God while looking forward to the eternal life He has promised (1 Corinthians 10:31; Titus 2:11–13).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Time is one of the few things we cannot earn back once it is gone. Every day, we are given the same 24 hours, but the way we use those hours reveals what we truly value. Paul’s command to “make the best use of the time” (Ephesians 5:15–16) is not a call to constantly be busy—it is a call to be intentional. Redeeming the time means recognizing that our moments are a gift from God and choosing to invest them in what matters most: knowing Him, loving others, and fulfilling His purposes.

How do you use your time? Have you ever taken a look at what your day actually looked like? Take a few days to write down what you do hour to hour. It can be really eye-opening! As you process what this exercise reveals, seek what God wants to reveal: Do you live mostly for yourself? How do you seek to honor God with your time? What does the way you spend your time reveal about what you value? What is God calling you to change?

You may need to create more intentional space in your schedule to spend time with God before the noise of the day begins. You may need to put down distractions that consume more time than they should. God might be calling you to be more available and present with the people God has placed in your life. Or maybe He wants you to use your gifts to serve others.

Redeeming the time does not mean every moment must be productive or serious—rest, celebration, and enjoyment are also gifts from God (Ecclesiastes 3:12–13). But it means surrendering your time to God, knowing that it is a gift from Him. It means living awake to the reality that our days are limited and that our choices matter. Instead of waiting for the “right time” to pursue God’s purposes, use the time God has already given you. Make sure your schedule reflects what matters most.

UNDERSTAND

• Time belongs to God, not us.
• God works through time with purpose.
• Christians are called to redeem the time with eternity in mind.

REFLECT

• How do you seek to honor God with your time?
• What does the way you spend your time reveal about your priorities?
• What does it change for you to see time as a gift from God?

ENGAGE

• What does it reveal about God that He chose to create time for life on Earth?
• What habits can we cultivate to better align our time with God’s purposes?
• How can we encourage each other to redeem the time and invest our lives in the things that have eternal value?