Shopping for Time

As the price of fuel, food and various other things increases, we've all become more aware of the need to spend wisely, to make the best use of our money. Budgets are tighter, so we're looking out for the best deals in order to save money. But when it comes to time, we fritter it away like we have an endless supply.

Ephesians 5v15,16 says "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

The phrase "making the best use of the time" is rooted in imagery of the merchant traders, who would buy and sell wisely, in order to make the most profit. We are to do the same with our time - the days are evil, and it's very possible for us to be unwise, to waste the short time that we have. But it is also possible by God's grace to use our time wisely, to make the most of the time we have to serve God, to grow in knowledge and love of Him.

Carolyn Mahaney and her daughters have addressed this need in their book "Shopping for Time". They are biblical in their approach, and so extremely practical. With clarity and gentleness, principles for making the best use of our time are helpfully set out, always coming back to the grace of God as our hope for change in our lives. Ladies, I highly recommend reading this book!