Ephesians 5:15–16: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

June 20th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

The phrase “redeeming the time” can also be translated “buying back or buying up.” Paul tells us that we are to “buy up every opportunity;” in other words, we are to use our time wisely. If we don’t, then we may miss opportunities God places in front of us. Napoleon is reported to have said, “There is in the midst of every great battle a 10 to 15 minute period that is the crucial point. Take that period and you win the battle; lose it and you will be defeated.” We aren’t called to be good time managers, but rather good opportunity managers. Time is limited and walking in wisdom means valuing the time we have. We must be careful not to miss any opportunity that is placed before us and always be carefully looking for each one.

There is a moving old story of a little boy and his father, by an unknown author:

With a timid voice and idolizing eyes, a young boy greeted his father as he returned from work, “Daddy, how much do you make an hour?” Greatly surprised, but giving his boy a glaring look, the father said: “Look, not even your mother knows that. Don’t bother me now, I’m tired.” “But Daddy, just tell me please! How much do you make an hour?” the boy insisted. The father, finally giving up, replied: “Twenty dollars an hour.” “Okay, Daddy. Could you loan me ten dollars?” the boy asked. Showing his disturbance at this invasion of privacy, the father responded: “So that was the reason you asked how much I earn, right? Go to sleep and don’t bother me anymore!” It was already dark and the father was thinking about what the boy had said and was feeling guilty. Finally, trying to ease his conscience, the father went to his son’s room. “Are you asleep?” asked the father. “No, Daddy. Why?” replied the boy, partially asleep. “Here’s the money you asked for earlier,” the father said. “Thanks, Daddy!” rejoiced the son, while putting his hand under his pillow and removing some money. “Now I have enough! Now I have twenty dollars!” the boy said to his father. “Daddy, could you please sell me one hour of your time?”¹

No one on their death-bed ever said: “Man, I wish I’d spent more time at the office.”

“LORD, help us to redeem every opportunity today as we walk with You.”

¹James H. Dobbins, Take My Hand (Infinity Publishing.com, 2004), p. 105–106.