Today I provide a brief summary of chapter eight of Donald Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life to entice you to buy this excellent book and read it. This is the seventh article in my series on Dr. Whitney’s book. Summaries of earlier chapters may be read by following this link and scrolling. All of the quotations and page references are from the book.
“THE DISCIPLINED USE OF TIME” (159)
Throughout the book, Whitney emphasizes that we discipline ourselves “for the purpose of Godliness.” Time management and organization, or as some might term it, productivity management, is no different. Whitney points out that Jesus “so perfectly ordered His moments and His days [that] at the end of His eartly life . . . [He] was able to pray to the Father, ‘I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do’ (John 17:4)” (160).
Whitney cites Johnathan Edwards’ sermon on “The Preciousness of Time and the Improtance of Redeeming It” as the source for many of the following reasons that Scripture gives for disciplining ourselves in our use of time:
- “Use Time Wisely ‘Because the Days are Evil’”
- “Wise Use of time Is the Preparation for Eternity”
- “Time is Short”
- “Time is Passing”
- “The Remaining Time is Uncertain”
- “Time Lost Cannot Be Regained”
- “You Are Accountable to God for Your Time”
- “Time is So Easily Lost”
- “We Value Time at Death”
- “Time’s Value in Eternity” (160-68)
Each of these statements heads a section from Whitney’s chapter, and from these sections I offer the following highlights:
Paul entreats us in Ephesisans 5:15-16 to “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” As Whitney points out, “great thieves of time serve as minions of the world, the flesh, and the Devil . . . . ranging from high-tech, socially acceptable preoccupations to simple, idle talk or ungoverned thoughts” (160). Conversely, and in response to these devices, Colossians 3:2 calls us to “Set . . . [our] minds on things that are above.” Indeed, we tend toward “ease, pleasure, gluttony, and sloth” (160-61).
“. . . [T]here is a specific day on the calendar when all my preparation for eternity will indeed be over” (161).
“The older I get, the more I feel as though I’m paddling on the Niagra—the closer I get to the end, the faster it comes” (161).
Jesus states in John 9:4, “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work” (164).
In Romans 14:12, Paul states, “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Whitney clarifies that although we are “saved by grace and not by works, once in heaven our reward there will be determined on the basis of our works” (165).
“THE DISCIPLINED USE OF MONEY” (169)
Whitney also highlights the Bible’s emphasis on the disciplined use of financial resources. This is so important that the Bible names as hypocrites those that profess Christ but fail to care for their families due to “financial irresponsibility, slothful mismanagement, or waste.” He stresses that Scripture’s emphasis on finances points to the fact that “in a very real sense our [use of] money represents us. . . . [I]t reveals who we are, for it manifests our priorities, our values, and our heart. To the degree we use our money and resources Christianly, we prove our growth in Christlikeness” (169).
Whitney’s excellent teaching on the biblical use of finances covers the following topics:
- “God Owns Everything You Own”
- “Giving Is an Act of Worship”
- “Giving Reflects Faith in God’s Provision”
- “Giving Should Be Sacrificial and Generous”
- “Giving Reflects Spiritual Trustworthiness”
- “Giving—Love, Not Legalism”
- “Give Willingly, Thankfully, and Cheerfully”
- “Giving—An appropriate Response to Real Needs”
- “Giving Should Be Planned and Systematic”
- “Generous Giving Results in Bountiful Blessing” (170-85)
Regarding Scriptural teaching on the blessings poured out to those who give generously to God, Whitney clearly separates his teaching from those who teach a “prosperity gospel.” Passages such as Luke 6:38 or 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, make plain that “whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” Although these passages may refer to earthly blessings, they do not promise material wealth. The truth is that “[m]ost of God’s blessing for our giving . . . will not come in this life” (185-86).
As Whitney teaches, Christians need to pay sharp attention to the disciplined use of time and money—as one day we will give an account to God for these things. Are you investing in temporal things or eternal things?
Sources:
Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life. Rev. Ed. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2014.
Dennis, Lane T.; and Grudem, Wayne, eds. ESV Study Bible. Wheaton: Crossway Bibles, 2008.