Stewardship of Time and Priorities—Putting God First
Springboard Scripture
Psalm 90:12
“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”
Life is short and precious. Wisdom means using each moment for the glory of God.
Learning Objectives
- Understand what it means to seek first the kingdom in daily life.
- Evaluate your use of time spiritually.
- See the link between family priorities and church focus.
- Commit to structuring time around God’s will.
Introduction
“Show me your calendar, and I’ll show you your priorities.”
Time reveals what truly matters. God has entrusted every disciple with time—not to waste, but to redeem (Ephesians 5:16). When homes operate on worldly schedules, the church suffers distraction. When families make time for God, the church gains strength and direction.
Transition: Our journey today moves upward like steps: first, your heart; then your household; then the health of this church; and finally, the eternal purpose behind every moment you live.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Exegesis
- Seek (ζητεῖτε): Present imperative; keep on seeking, daily pursuit.
- First (πρῶτον): Priority, not leftover time.
- Kingdom of God: God’s rule in all things.
- His righteousness: Both God’s gift and our obedient living.
- Promise: God Himself will provide what you need when you put Him first.
Practical Application
- Is your daily routine built around God, or does He get only the scraps?
- What do your mornings and evenings declare about who’s truly first?
- Are you trusting God’s provision or clinging to anxiety and busyness?
Transition: A heart that seeks God first will begin to redeem the hours of every day. The next step is not just a desire, but wise stewardship of time itself.
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”
Exegesis
- Be careful how you walk: Intentional, alert living.
- Make the most of your time (ἐξαγοραζόμενοι τὸν καιρόν): Seize eternal opportunities, buy back wasted hours.
- Understand the Lord’s will: Discernment shaped by His Word, not culture.
Supporting Scriptures
- Psalm 90:12 – Life is fleeting; wisdom comes from numbering your days.
- Proverbs 4:7 – Wisdom is worth all your pursuit.
- Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 – Discern God’s appointed seasons.
- Colossians 4:5 – Use every moment to reflect Christ.
- Romans 13:11–14 – Time is urgent; wake up spiritually.
- James 1:5 – Ask God for wisdom to use time well.
Practical Application
- Audit your schedule: what’s eternal and what’s temporary noise?
- Do you treat your time as yours or as an offering to God?
- Are you alert to God’s moments in each day—or letting them slip by?
Transition: When you seek God and redeem your time personally, your home begins to change. The next step is leading your family to set visible priorities that honor God.
“As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Lessons from Joshua
- Choices about who to serve shape daily life, not just Sunday words.
- Schedules reveal faith; what fills your home calendar declares who rules your heart.
- The faith of the family impacts the health of the church.
Practical Application
- Parents must take the lead: “In our house, God is first—before sports, before screens, before comfort.”
- Faith must be visible and scheduled, not theoretical.
- Family time for prayer, worship, and service builds strong spiritual homes.
- When families drift, churches drift; when families stand firm, churches thrive.
Transition: Homes that set time for God create churches that shine for God. The next step is how our redeemed personal time and family priorities shape the entire congregation’s focus.
“When you assemble… let all things be done for edification.”
Why This Matters
- Worship is participation, not performance – God designed His assembly for mutual edification (Acts 2:42–47).
- Families who spend time on worldly pursuits all week arrive spiritually empty; families who redeem their days arrive ready to build up the church.
- Strong families produce strong, focused churches, anticipating eternity.
Practical Application
- Prepare before Sunday, not just during the service.
- Every gathering is an eternal investment—how will you contribute?
- What would change if every family treated worship as the highlight of the week, fueled by a week spent with God?
Final Transition: The staircase ends here—but really, it points beyond this life. Every moment you steward well builds toward eternity.
CONCLUSION – Climbing the Staircase Toward Eternity
Life is too short to drift. Psalm 90:12 reminds us: time is a gift, not a guarantee.
Matthew 6:33 commands: seek God first.
Ephesians 5:16 urges: redeem the days—they are evil and fleeting.
Joshua 24:15 shows: strong families choose God on purpose.
1 Corinthians 14:26 reveals: strong churches are built by strong, focused families.
If eternity is real, time is priceless.
What story does your schedule tell your children about God?
What would change if your home treated every moment as kingdom time?
What would this church look like if every family here put Christ first in their hours, their days, their priorities?
The clock is running. Choose today whom you will serve. Redeem your days before they are gone. Put God first—and watch Him bring life, strength, and eternal focus to your heart, your home, His church, and His glory forever.
Summary
- Seek first the kingdom — intentional priority.
- Redeem the time — daily devotion.
- Set family values — strengthen the church.
- Build up the church — prepare for eternity.
Takeaway
- Audit your calendar.
- Eliminate distractions.
- Schedule what builds faith.
- Put God first—everything else will align.
Key Scriptures for Reflection
- Matthew 6:25–34
- Ephesians 5:15–17
- Colossians 3:1–2
- Psalm 90:12
- Acts 2:42–47
- Joshua 24:15
Plan of Salvation
- Hear the gospel – Romans 10:17
- Believe in Christ – John 8:24
- Repent – Luke 13:3
- Confess – Romans 10:9–10
- Be baptized – Acts 2:38
- Remain faithful – Revelation 2:10
Imputed and Practical Righteousness
- Imputed: Romans 4:5; 6:3–7; Philippians 3:9
- Practical: 1 John 3:7; Titus 2:12
- Both: Matthew 6:33 calls us to embrace both God’s gift (status) and our obedience (living).
Hebrew and Greek Key Terms Table
| Term | Transliteration | Language | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ζητεῖτε | zēteite | Greek | Seek | Continuous, deliberate pursuit |
| πρῶτον | prōton | Greek | First | Priority—first in order and emphasis |
| βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ | basileian tou theou | Greek | Kingdom of God | God’s reign, rule, and authority |
| δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ | dikaiosynēn autou | Greek | His righteousness | Imputed and practical righteousness |
| προστεθήσεται | prostethēsetai | Greek | Will be added | God’s provision follows spiritual priorities |
| βλέπετε | blepete | Greek | Pay attention | Ongoing watchfulness |
| ἀκριβῶς | akribōs | Greek | Carefully, precisely | Exact, intentional living |
| περιπατεῖτε | peripateite | Greek | Walk (live) | Daily conduct, lifestyle |
| σοφοί / ἄσοφοι | sophoi / asophoi | Greek | Wise / Unwise | Spiritual discernment vs. worldly foolishness |
| ἐξαγοραζόμενοι τὸν καιρόν | exagorazomenoi ton kairon | Greek | Redeeming the time | Buying out, seizing opportunities |
| ἡμέραι πονηραί | hēmerai ponērai | Greek | Evil days | Morally corrupt times |
| συνίετε | syniete | Greek | Understand | Spiritual understanding |
| τὸ θέλημα τοῦ κυρίου | to thelēma tou kyriou | Greek | Will of the Lord | God’s revealed purpose |
| עִבְדוּ | ʿivdu | Hebrew | Serve | Serve with loyalty and obedience |
| בָּח֣וּ | bāḥû | Hebrew | Choose | Deliberate decision for covenant |
| הַיּ֔וֹם | hayyôm | Hebrew | Today | Urgency; present obedience |