How Much???

There will be more insights on what’s coming out from reading Matthew in later blogs over the month.

I thought I’d take a moment out to follow up on a theme that I mentioned yesterday. So there’s this module that I’m delivering to people this week on time management.

Now you don’t have to be a parent to think to yourself when it comes to buying something how much does that cost. It’s a frequently asked question in the shopping experience and is one of the first things you look for in that kind of experience. As a parent, I can say that I’ve gone from a mere enquiry to the incredulous questioning outrage at the realisation of the cost. So for example getting the sweets for the girls – how much is it? How much??? Before choosing the merits of fasting once more.

When considering items to purchase with money we can easily make it an issue of budget – we know that it usually works best if we pay for something with money we have or face getting into debt for it and taking ages to pay back. If we are going to make a purchase we are always encouraged to work out if we can afford it.

It’s interesting that we’re not necessarily always that diligent and concerned with how we spend our energy, how we spend our talents and how we spend our time. Yet when it comes to these things, unlike money, we don’t get them back. The energy and talent used in that time that we have is for that moment. How we spend it can have repercussions far bigger than financial expenditures.

Of course how we spend our money says a lot about us, but remember what is that money getting? Something for which we will spend time, energy and talent – even credit for the phone will take the talent of communication expended in the energy to keep the conversation for the time that it will last.

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)

Now with this word again ringing in our ears and the Kingdom being the dominant motivation for followers of Jesus it should challenge us to ask again when it comes to the cost of some of the things that we spend our time, energy and talents – how much???

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd