Time Managment

We started yesterday to study biblical principles in how to manage our time. The first principle is purpose. A purposeless time is a wasted time. The next principle is:

PRIORITY

Priority simply means knowing which things are more important and which are less. Once we know our purpose, our priorities should emerge. Jesus said, ” . . . seek first his (God’s) kingdom and his righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33)

We manage our time well when we prioritize what to do according to their importance. There are some things that doesn't worth spending enough time on but yet we do.

There is this true story of Charles Schwab and Ivy Lee. Schwab was president of Bethlehem Steel. Lee, a consultant, was given the usual challenge: “Show me a way to get more things done with my time.” Schwab agreed to pay him “anything within reason” if Lee’s suggestion worked. Lee handed Mr. Schwab a sheet of paper with this plan written on it:

“Write down the most important tasks you have to do tomorrow. Number them in order of importance. When you arrive in the morning, begin at once on No. 1 and stay on it until it is completed. Recheck your priorities. Then begin with No. 2 . . . then No. 3. Make this a habit every working day. Pass it on to those under you. Try it as long as you like. Then send me your check for what you think it’s worth.”

That one idea turned Bethlehem Steel Corporation into the biggest independent steel producer in the world within five years. How much did Mr. Schwab pay for that idea? He sent a check to Mr. Lee for 25,000 dollars, with a note attached saying that this was the most profitable lesson he had ever learned. 

When our priorities are not healthy and clear, we end up attempting more things than we should and not doing any of them really well. That causes stress. Setting priorities is tough because we have to make hard choices and say no to some things. Often we have to say no to good things so that we can say yes to the best things.

There is not enough time for all things, but there is enough time for the most important things. Imagine a man that makes his first 30,000 dollars from a business deal, he used up all the money to buy automobile yet he doesn't have a land talk less a house of his own. That clearly has made a wrong choice and has of course wasted time. There is time for everything. There is nothing wrong with buying a cars worth several thousands of dollars, but it becomes wrong if you are spending on WANTS first instead of your NEEDS. It’s just a matter of establishing priorities.

Jesus made an interesting statement about priorities in John 15:2. He seemed to be talking about a grapevine, but really had people in mind. He said, ” . . . every branch that does bear fruit, he (God) prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

Expert vine-growers point out that the vine’s ability to produce growth increases each year, but without intensive pruning, the plant weakens and its crop gets smaller. 

The same principle applies to people. Pruning activities and commitments helps you become even more productive and creative. Most of us are spread too thinly because we hate to make tough choices and sometimes say no.

We gain more out or time when we do the right thing at the right time. We can not do everything at the same time. That is why we need to prioritize how and what we spend our time on.

A farmer should know that if he plant his seed at the wrong time, he has wasted time. 

We learn from Jesus who spend His time doing the Will of the Father. Any time we spend outside God's  WIll for us is wasted. 

I pray for you: you will not make wrong choices, you  will not waste your time vigorously doing the wrong thing.

We continue tomorrow on the next principle. Good day and a happy Sunday to you...