Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

— Ephesians 5:15-16

The apostle Paul urges Christians to live a life of wisdom and self-control. All Christians are called to be holy people in a fallen world, and times are often hard.

A Christian must be recognized by wise living. Life is short, and God calls us to live for him. He is the Lord, our Creator, and we are his. God calls us to make the most of our time—that is, to make the best use of it. Time is one of the precious gifts God has entrusted to us, so it is our responsibility to manage it well.

In some evangelical churches in Africa, and perhaps also in Europe, Christians are encouraged to wait passively for the things of heaven. They think their responsibility is limited to praying, praying, and praying more. With that type of attitude, their responsibility is not sufficiently called upon. But with God's help, we can make the most of our time, in a good way, by thinking carefully about how we want to use our hours, whether it’s in our work, in needed rest or relaxation, or in giving time to others. All of these things contribute to the coming of the kingdom of God.

What would be the consequences of misusing our time? Why is a good use of time an important aspect of our faith? How can we help young people in this regard?

Father in heaven, everything we have is a gift from you, including our time. Help us to make the most of every opportunity and to honor you in the process. Amen.