Count Your Time, Not Money - Part 1

Over the years in real estate industry, I have met many types of people. Whether the agents, buyers, sellers, tenants, landlords, etc. are Christians or not, it doesn't speak anything about their character and integrity.

How they handle money is the revelation of their character and integrity. How they handle wealth is the confirmation of what they really believe in their hearts, instead of what they say with their mouths.

We must learn to look past religious beliefs and look beyond self-righteousness. The way of life reveals the way of belief, whether the Kingdom is at hand or truly within.

There are some believers who count their money. In fact, they hold their finances very tightly. They have an excel sheet that tracks every flow of finances, including each dollar and cent. They say, "Well, this is practising wisdom and stewardship." They add, "Well, all the financial gurus track dollars and cents and they BECOME RICH!"

The question is... "Are you following financial gurus or Jesus?" Can you find that in the life of Jesus? Can you imagine Jesus telling Judas, "Hey treasurer, our budget today is $500 max, you know? I know there are needs presented before us. If you spend above it, I'm going to screw you with My whip."

Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees t̶h̶e̶ ̶F̶a̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶d̶o̶  in His bank balance; for whatever H̶e̶ ̶d̶o̶e̶s̶, is there, the Son also does in like manner. - John 5:19 TFSV (The Financial Stewardship Version)

Disclaimer: I'm not saying that believers cannot track their finances. I'm referring to the intent, the obsession and the love of money. For the love of money is not simply about pursuing wealth, but also allowing money to have a hold on every decision. It's called slavery. It's called serving the Mammon.

If you look into the Bible, you will see that it doesn't teach you to count your money. In fact, it focuses on teaching you to count your time.

So 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. - Ps 90:12

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. - Col 4:5

Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. - Eph 5:16

The parable of the unjust steward in Luke 16 is extremely rich in content. Jesus' interjection of verse 9 reveals what true stewardship of money is. It will be too lengthy to look at it in this post.

Hint: Stewardship is not about counting every dollar and cent in our investment and bank accounts. That's called idolatry / serving the Mammon.

And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. - Luke 16:9

In other words, we are to 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭, instead of counting our money. That's stewardship and it will determine your eternal rewards and responsibilities.

Wisdom is about 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, not our money. For the latter must be a slave to us, not a master.