The Danger of Time Debt
If time is valuable, why do we waste so much of it?
Tick Tock.
I grew up in a home surrounded by antique clocks. I steward a small business where we focus on collaborating with a select group of companies.
I’m always conscious of time and how I allocate, invest, and share it. There never seems to be enough time, yet I have all the time I’ll ever get.
One of my favorite quotes is
“We have so much time and so little to do. Strike that, reverse it.”
― Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
How much is your time worth?
Why waste so much of it if it’s as valuable as you think?
We live in an attention economy. (1) Our attention, like our time, is a fixed and diminishing commodity.
That makes time and attention limited, scarce, and valuable.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:16 to “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”
Traditional translations like the King James Version insert the idea of “redeeming the time.”
Just like our minds, bodies, and souls, our time and opportunity must be redeemed to yield to God’s use and for God’s purpose. Time is the overlooked gift – and resource – that we neglect to steward. Time is the most finite and precious resource with which we are born.
The ROI of Time
You can easily slip into financial debt if you’re not disciplined with your income. You spend (that’s the fun part), invest (if you’re planning for the future), and give your money away (if you’re generous). What would be the return on your investment if you were to keep track of how you spend, invest, and give time away?
Consider your current commitments and how often you say, “I just don’t have time!” When we fill every waking moment with work, ministry, and activity, our moments are consumed, and we burn through our capital.
We fall into time debt because we let time manage us.
How you spend your time may not always accomplish something specific, but you must account for your time in God’s economy. You have been given a fixed amount of time and opportunity to lead, influence, mentor, encourage, and serve.
We’re also given every good thing from God – time – to enjoy. We don’t have to fill every waking moment with activities labeled “spiritual” or “ministry.”
We tend to measure accomplishment by what we produce, what is seen, and the number of dollars in the bank account at the end of the day.
But is that God’s measure?
The verses that precede and follow Ephesians 5:16 warn us to make the most of every opportunity and speak of intentionality:
“Be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise… Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”
The way I think of this is to be in the moment.
Leadership, influence, mentoring, encouraging, and serving are relational. Your time is best spent accomplishing the tasks that align with your calling and the relationships surrounding you. Your spouse, children, colleagues, co-workers, and community need you to engage in meaningful ways with the gift – and investment – of time.
I bet you can think of at least one opportunity you didn’t make the most of recently. I know I can, and I’m resolved to steward my time better.
After all, I can earn more money. I can’t earn more time.
Say no more often. Rest. Enjoy your work.
Tempus Fugit, time flies.
Carpe Diem. Today is a new opportunity. Make the most of it!
(1) Nielsen Norman Group, “The Attention Economy.”
Goldhaber, Michael H. (1997) “Attention Shoppers!” Wired Magazine