Tithing is a biblical principle of bringing God the first fruits, the best of labors. One of the ladies in my Bible study group mentioned about tithing our time as a way of making sure God is our priority.
Although, “tithing of our time” is not an actually in the Bible, being stewards of the things He has given us is. I think it’s safe to say that God has given us time. In my case, sixteen waking hours.
I was excited about the concept and was challenged to try it. How many hours does our culture spend on Facebook, watching a marathon of our favorite shows, reading book after book of our favorite series or, genre? Yet when it comes spending time with God we do a quick ten minutes because it’s what good Christians do.
Ten percent for me is approximately two hours of my day. At first I thought “Whoa, that’s a lot”; however, I can sit for three hours reading a great mystery book. I can spend two hours watching my shows and then I complain I don’t have time for the things God has for me to do.
Now don’t get me wrong, the mystery books are okay, TV is okay even Facebook is okay, but when it’s stopping me from God and what He has for me, then it becomes a problem.
I don’t necessarily have a schedule that allows two hours straight. But a half hour here, fifteen minutes here and there and another half hour later, I have accomplished two hours focusing on God and what He has for me.
It’s being intentional and giving God the priority throughout the day not just when we have devotional times.
Let me show you some things I’m starting to do to make God the priority though out my day:
- When I walk in the morning this is the time I have started using to pray. Evening walk now are times of praise and worship through music
- Instead of watching my favorite show, I’m choosing to watch instructional video’s to improve my writing skill. Or writing more on what God is teaching me.
- I also now keep a book like When the Enemy Strikes by Charles Stanley in the car so I can read while I wait for my children to get out of school.
- I also leave out one or two devotionals so that during the day, I take fifteen minutes to read and mediate.
These are just a few of the adjustments I’m making. I’m busy with my children, chores etc. But just making these little changes help me keep focus on who I am in Christ and what He has called me to do.
However, It’s more than just reading and praying, but giving God our best in everything including ministry, and fellowship. Do you have a ministry you are involved with? If not, pray about it. There is nothing like serving the Lord and others to keep our focus on Him. I‘m scheduling coffee dates with other woman so I can encourage and fellowship more.
Some may say, “You’re a stay – at- homer you have all the time in the world. I work 40 to 50 hours a week.” How do you use your lunch breaks? Maybe take a prayer walk, read a devotional, or take time to encourage a co-worker. We all have twenty-four hours in a day. It not about quantity but quality.
I have been following this principle for a week and I have been amazed at how God has used it. There has been peace, even energy during the hardest parts of the day (afternoons). I have also been “responding” rather than “reacting”. I missed one day I could tell there was a difference.
Warning: There is a risk that the “tithe” becomes a ritual or legalistic. I will not become a slave to the clock. The heart and motives are important too. It’s all about the relationship.
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk-not as unwise people but as wise- making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17 (HCSB)
Solitude with the Father 