How To Make The Most Of Your Time Here On Earth And Live For God

Our life on earth is temporary, and as Christians, we often refer to our faith journey as a path leading to eternity. It resembles a race or marathon, with Christ and the promised eternal destiny as our finish line.

Indeed, our salvation is secure and assured. The Lamb of God purchased it through His precious blood, and we receive it by God's grace through faith in Christ alone. This unshakable foundation ensures that nothing can take away or separate us from the love of God. Even the forces of hell cannot undermine our eternal security, as it is grounded in the unwavering love of Jesus.

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." —Romans 8:38-39 NASB95

However, we must also recognize that how we live our Christian life matters significantly. Our faith must be put into action, manifesting in love toward God and others. Such expressions of love are precious and hold great value in the eyes of God. His desire for us is to live not only for ourselves but for Him and the well-being of others. Therefore, it prompts us to ponder: will our life be wasted and amount to nothing, or will it leave a resounding lasting impact?

"So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil." —Ephesians 5:15–16 NASB

The Wise Decision 

Paul's challenge to the Ephesians is to seize the opportunity of their time on earth and make wise decisions. As Christians, our choices should reflect a preference for God's kingdom and righteousness, as this is always the best decision. Conversely, opting for the world over God is unwise, as it does not yield eternal rewards and holds no value for eternity.

Jesus expounded on this concept during His sermon on the mount in Matthew 6:19. He urged followers to invest in "treasures in heaven" rather than earthly possessions. Heavenly treasures are imperishable and eternal, unlike earthly ones that can decay or be stolen. In Matthew 16:24–27, Jesus emphasized that every person will be repaid according to deeds.

While earthly treasures like fame, prestige, power, and money may not inherently be evil, they are temporary. When we depart from this life, we leave them behind, and they hold no relevance in the eternal realm. On the other hand, heavenly rewards, such as the crown of righteousness, a deeper intimacy with God, and an eternal inheritance, are enduring and everlasting.

The scope of heavenly rewards is beyond human comprehension. At the Judgment Seat of Christ, we will all receive compensation for our actions in service of the Kingdom of God. Storing up treasures in heaven requires making Christ the foundation of everything we do and dedicating our efforts to serving Him.

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." —2 Corinthians 5:10 NASB95

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." —Colossians 3:23–24 NASB

Do it All for the Lord

We engage in actions for the Lord when our motivation is to bring glory to His name. When we work to glorify God, we strive to give our best effort without resorting to dishonesty or deceit. Likewise, when we utilize our finances for God's glory, we make wise decisions and direct them toward worthy and virtuous causes. In this way, every aspect of our lives, even the simplest activities like eating and drinking, can become acts of worship and service to God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

On the contrary, when we do something with selfish intentions or seek personal gain, it does not bring glory to God, and we cannot expect to be rewarded for it. For instance, Jesus cautions against the hypocritical practice of praying or giving merely to gain public approval or praise. Such actions may lead to recognition and praise from people but will not be rewarded by our Heavenly Father. These earthly accolades are transient and do not hold eternal value.

"So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. [3] But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, [4] so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." —Matthew 6:2-4 NASB95

The intention of our hearts matters greatly. When we perform acts of kindness or goodness, we should examine whether they stem from genuine love. Are we motivated by our passion for the Lord and desire to serve Him? Similarly, when we extend help to others, we should be rooted in love, selflessly giving without expecting anything in return. This selfless love, known as Agape love, mirrors the love exemplified by Jesus Christ.

"If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. [3] And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing." —1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NASB95

To make the most of our time and efforts, we must prioritize doing things for the Lord and not out of selfish ambition. If we seek heavenly rewards, we should focus on glorifying God in all we do. Our good works should be driven by a sincere love for God and a genuine desire to serve our fellow human beings. By embracing this mindset of love and service, our actions reflect Christ's character.

Focus on What Matters the Most 

When Jesus taught in Matthew 6:33 to seek the Kingdom of God first, He emphasized the importance of prioritizing it above all else. It calls us to examine where we invest most of our time, resources, and efforts. Are we primarily focused on advancing the Kingdom of God or indulging in temporary worldly pursuits?

"I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is futility and striving after wind." —Ecclesiastes 1:14 NASB

The book of Ecclesiastes, often attributed to King Solomon, portrays the struggle to find lasting satisfaction and meaning in worldly riches and achievements. Despite his wisdom and wealth, Solomon realized that earthly treasures could not fulfill the deep longing in his heart. This understanding also holds for us; no amount of worldly possessions can bring lasting fulfillment because we are created for eternity, and this world is not our ultimate home.

"He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, without the possibility that mankind will find out the work which God has done from We beginning even to the end." —Ecclesiastes 3:11 NASB

The awareness of spending eternity in heaven should significantly impact the purpose of our lives. It should influence where we invest our treasures, efforts, and time intending to gain eternal rewards. Our earthly life is finite, and how we utilize it matters greatly. Are we making the most of our time for eternal purposes or squandering it on temporary and fleeting pursuits?

Sometimes, our preoccupation with earthly concerns and worries can distract us from focusing on the Kingdom of God. While thinking about our survival and well-being is natural, we must not allow these concerns to overshadow the eternal perspective. Jesus reminded His followers that God, as the Creator of everything, knows our needs and will provide for us. Hence, our primary concern should be seeking God's Kingdom, trusting He will care for our necessities.

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." —Matthew 6:33 NASB95

Make the most of your time on Earth! Embrace the call to make wise decisions by focusing on the eternal rather than the temporary. Let Christ be the foundation of your life, guiding every decision and action for His glory and the advancement of His Kingdom. Live with the awareness that our time here is limited, and how we use it will make an outstanding ripple in eternity.