Balancing Time with Work, Ministry, & Home Life
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV)
Everything we possess, are partnered with, or have a responsibility over is a seed. Our time is the field and whatever we sow has the ability to flourish if sown and cared for correctly. However, neglecting certain parts of our lives and failing to prioritize correctly can lead to unnecessary stress, anxiety, and deterioration of the harvest we have sown into. In the scripture above, the Word of God clearly says that there is a time for everything, but we don't have the capacity to do it all at once. Properly prioritizing things in your life according to biblical wisdom and principals will not only alleviate you from a few pitfalls and road blocks, but it will align you with the Word of God in such a way that an abundance of favor and blessings can flow more freely.
As adults we often face the stress of balancing work, marriage, children, friendships, and church. The best way to properly organize and manage your time is to set boundaries and time schedules. You can't focus 90% of your time on work and then expect your marriage to flourish. Remember, there should be a time for everything! Set aside time for your spouse and children a few times a week, put your phone on silent sometimes, learn to multitask, and be intentional about spending your time on the things that are important to you. Set proper boundaries and prioritize what you place your time and effort into.
In Matthew 25:14-30 we see the parable of the master who gave his servants responsibility over his finances while he was away. Of the three servants, two of them invested and worked wisely and were able to multiply what they were given, but one servant just buried his portion and nothing came of it. We are each given a portion of time and responsibility and should use wisdom to do the best we can with what we possess. If we sow and invest our time and effort into the proper things, we will see increase and reap a plentiful harvest.
As adults we often face the stress of balancing work, marriage, children, friendships, and church. The best way to properly organize and manage your time is to set boundaries and time schedules. You can't focus 90% of your time on work and then expect your marriage to flourish. Remember, there should be a time for everything! Set aside time for your spouse and children a few times a week, put your phone on silent sometimes, learn to multitask, and be intentional about spending your time on the things that are important to you. Set proper boundaries and prioritize what you place your time and effort into.
In Matthew 25:14-30 we see the parable of the master who gave his servants responsibility over his finances while he was away. Of the three servants, two of them invested and worked wisely and were able to multiply what they were given, but one servant just buried his portion and nothing came of it. We are each given a portion of time and responsibility and should use wisdom to do the best we can with what we possess. If we sow and invest our time and effort into the proper things, we will see increase and reap a plentiful harvest.
- Alone Time with God
- Time with Spouse & Children
- Time for Work Responsibilities
- Time for Church & Ministry
"Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." (Psalm 90:12 NLT)
Don't put away for tomorrow what you can accomplish today. Find time to rest but don't be lazy when it comes to being intentional about getting things done. Remain sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and if God tells you to get something done, get it done.
Spiritual Gifts & Talents
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV)
We are to do things in excellence as unto God! If something is a priority, you will find a way. If something is not a priority, you will find an excuse. God should be glorified through our daily life but especially through the gifts and talents that He has gifted us with for the benefit of the Kingdom. If you have a gift, talent, or passion for something specific, put it to good use and don't let it sit there going to waste. There is some one out there praying for the gifts and talents that we refuse to use.
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:4-12 ESV)
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Some people are naturally great and gifted in specific areas that could benefit them in life and help advance the Kingdom of God. We are all gifted and talented in one way or another even if you don't see it at first. Do you know what your gifts and talents are? And if you do, are you being a good steward of your gifts and using them to bring glory to God in some way? Being ignorant or apathetic about the gifts you posses can keep you from reaching your full God-given potential. Albert Einstein once said, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
Financial Stewardship
"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. ”He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness." (2 Corinthians 9:6-10 ESV)
"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38 ESV)
God blesses and shows honor and favor to those who give and trust Him with their finances. Though the tithe is an Old Testament principle, in the New Testament we are told by Jesus to sell our belongings for the benefit of others. In the book of Acts people gave way above the 10% Tithe for the benefit of the church community. Giving God 10% of our income is biblically minimum compared to the early church. We do not have the ability to out give God so whenever we give to the Lord we should expect a great return in some form. He is a good God and when we give out financial firstfruits to Him everything else will fall into place.
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV)
It's okay to have money, but it's not okay to let money have you. If your life revolves completely around gaining and retaining finances, there's a problem. Money is a tool we are to posses, not an idol we should be ruled by. Take care of the needs of yourself and your family. Working tirelessly just to have finances for luxury isn't wise. Especially when the tireless working gets in the way of family relationships, friendships, your mental and physical health, and your relationship with God.
Learn to cut back on things that aren't absolutely necessary and find creative ways to reduce your spending habits if finances always seem to be an issue. If you are able, save up for the future and set financial goals with a preferred timeframe. God is our provider and we were never meant to live in lack. Do research and talk to professionals about managing finances, bills, and debt. There are a multitude of resources at your fingertips that can help you organize and make life easier.
Learn to cut back on things that aren't absolutely necessary and find creative ways to reduce your spending habits if finances always seem to be an issue. If you are able, save up for the future and set financial goals with a preferred timeframe. God is our provider and we were never meant to live in lack. Do research and talk to professionals about managing finances, bills, and debt. There are a multitude of resources at your fingertips that can help you organize and make life easier.
"For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living." (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 ESV)
God is our provider but doesn't enable us to become lazy. Be intentional about how you work and where you work. You work ethic and character in the workplace should be reflecting the character of Christ. Work hard for the things you want in life but make sure to keep God and your family as a major priorities! If you want something you've never had before, you have to do something you've never done before. If you want a better job, look for it. If you want a promotion, work for it. Either way, remember to give God the glory!
Managing Relationships
Wisdom is knowing where to place people in your life. When people are placed improperly in our lives, we can easily get thrown off track from what God has for us, We may find ourselves pouring into someone who doesn't want to be taught, trying to work with someone who has no desire to move forward, or trying to learn from someone who doesn't want to teach you. Our friends and relationships with people change, but whether someone is passing through your life temporarily, in it for a long season, or with you for life, they will fall under one of three categories.
God places certain people in your life to lead you, teach you, and push your forward. These people are mentors of some sort that you are meant to receive from. You aren't meant to learn or receive guidance from everyone! It's easy to get off track and move backwards if you somehow find yourself trying to learn from someone that God placed in your life to learn from you.
Seek the Lord and pray deeply about what roles certain people play in your life. Prioritize your time with those who have the greatest impact on you, you make the greatest impact with, and the ones you make the greatest impact on. If you are truly Kingdom-minded then placing people in the right category and prioritizing them accordingly is crucial. Not everyone is meant to run with you in life and not everyone will be in it for the long haul. Holding onto dead relationships and toxic friendships will only hold you back, exhaust you, and can cause unnecessary spiritual warfare. Also, use wisdom when speaking to people about personal situations. Find someone you can trust who will partner with you in prayer. Some people want to pray for you and others want to talk about you.
When it comes to the biblical family order and relationships, check out the resources we have on cultivating and maintaining "A Godly Household" on the Personal Growth tab!
- Someone meant to lead you
- Someone meant to work alongside you
- Someone meant to be led by you
God places certain people in your life to lead you, teach you, and push your forward. These people are mentors of some sort that you are meant to receive from. You aren't meant to learn or receive guidance from everyone! It's easy to get off track and move backwards if you somehow find yourself trying to learn from someone that God placed in your life to learn from you.
Seek the Lord and pray deeply about what roles certain people play in your life. Prioritize your time with those who have the greatest impact on you, you make the greatest impact with, and the ones you make the greatest impact on. If you are truly Kingdom-minded then placing people in the right category and prioritizing them accordingly is crucial. Not everyone is meant to run with you in life and not everyone will be in it for the long haul. Holding onto dead relationships and toxic friendships will only hold you back, exhaust you, and can cause unnecessary spiritual warfare. Also, use wisdom when speaking to people about personal situations. Find someone you can trust who will partner with you in prayer. Some people want to pray for you and others want to talk about you.
When it comes to the biblical family order and relationships, check out the resources we have on cultivating and maintaining "A Godly Household" on the Personal Growth tab!
Self-Care
In life (especially as a leader) you will constantly be expected to pour out unto others. However, you cannot pour out of what you don't have. Serving people is important, but your spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental well-being should be a priority. We will often experience "burn out" and can become easily discouraged or irritable if we continue to try to do everything on our own without taking special time apart to rest, refresh, or even restructure.
You cannot operate at your best if your energy is depleted and your spirit is weak. In all the chaos of life, try to make time for yourself. Do something you love, engage in an extracurricular activity, or just make time to turn off all the electronics and cut communications for a while to just rest. If you find yourself struggling with frustration, anxiety, depression, discouragement, or other negative thoughts and emotions, pause and take some time to pray about it. Figure out what the root cause of what you're experiencing and ask God for wisdom and knowledge so you can address it and handle it properly.
You cannot operate at your best if your energy is depleted and your spirit is weak. In all the chaos of life, try to make time for yourself. Do something you love, engage in an extracurricular activity, or just make time to turn off all the electronics and cut communications for a while to just rest. If you find yourself struggling with frustration, anxiety, depression, discouragement, or other negative thoughts and emotions, pause and take some time to pray about it. Figure out what the root cause of what you're experiencing and ask God for wisdom and knowledge so you can address it and handle it properly.
