"I like being frugal. But frugality has its limits.
Let’s say you earn $50,000 a year. You are very frugal and save $20,000. At year’s end you are $20,000 richer. But if you increase your income by $20,000 and save only $10,000 you’ll be $30,000 ahead at the end of the year.
Here’s the point: No matter how frugal you are, you can never save more than you make. The best stewardship model balances saving money with investing time most profitably.
Let’s say for example a hamburger chain is offering free burgers, but there is 30 minute line to get one. You’ll likely come out ahead by skipping the line and spending that time reading a book that will advance your career or teach you a new income producing skill.
God wants us to save money. But savings alone, without generating new income, may be an incomplete formula for financial stewardship and for redeeming the time.
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"You say you want success. You say you want God’s best. But instead of blessed, your life is stressed. Here’s why it’s such a mess.
As goes the morning, so goes the day. Get the first hour right, you’ll have time to pray. Get it wrong and there’s a price to pay as the whole day frays into disarray.
Snoozers are losers. When you hit the snooze you choose to lose. Up before the sun and your day is half won. Five more minutes under the sheet won’t help you preheat, make your sleep complete, or start your day upbeat. Wash your face get on the feet or else you’ll likely face defeat.
When you wake up get up. Don’t hesitate, procrastinate, cogitate or marinate. Just initiate.
Once you get up, stay up. Make some motions, do your devotions, and you’ll start your day with the right emotions. When you wake up late you lose control. Get up in time to feed your soul.
I hope this rhyme sticks in your mind so tomorrow morning you’ll redeem the time.
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"When the dentist told Bob he charged $500 for a tooth extraction Bob said “What if we skipped that numbing spray before you put the needle in?” “I wouldn’t advise that but we could do it for $400.” “What if you only use half the Novocain” “That would be very painful but we could do it for $300.” “Still too much. What if we did it without any anesthesia?” “We’ll have to strap you in the chair. The pain will be unbearable. But we can do it for $200.” “Fine.” said Bob, “Go ahead and schedule an appointment next week for my wife.”
Bob should have realized that some things are non-negotiable. Negotiation is a great skill to have when buying a car or a house or visiting a flea market. But when it comes to spiritual matters our time commitments are non-negotiable.
Determine how much time you will spend with God tomorrow morning and make it a priority. By making it non-negotiable you’ll insure you redeem the time.
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"When I was about five years old, I had a debate with my friend Neal as we played in his sandbox. I informed him that my dog, Tiger, was the best dog in the whole world. He corrected me by informing me that his dog, Toby, was the best dog in the whole world. After some discussion, Neal suggested that maybe Tiger and Toby were both the best dog in the whole world.
Perhaps I still remember that exchange because it was my first exposure to a person of the third way. Third way people don’t waste time debating things that don’t matter. Truthfully, it would be very difficult for either of us to prove that Tiger or Toby was the best dog in the whole world.
Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not suggesting there are no absolute truths or that there is never a time to take a stand for what’s right. But when it comes to wasting time arguing over trivialities, people of the third way are the ones who redeem the time.
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