Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”

Luke 12:15

This week marks the beginning of a new year. This year is a gift. How will you use it?

Today’s scripture is from a story about a rich man who made poor use of his days. He assumed his life would last for many years. He left God out of His plans and allowed materialism to guide him. I encourage you to read the entire story in Luke12:15-21. It is a vivid reminder of how we too can get to the end of this year and realize that we have wasted the gift that God has given us.

But not only does the Bible tell about this rich man who wasted the time he had been given, we also find the story of the apostle Paul. Paul knew his time was short and yet made the most of his life on earth. His priority was to give to others until his final days. His letters from prison illustrate this. Paul knew that he was facing death, but he devoted his time and energy to instructing fellow believers and praying for them.

Paul also recognized the value of time spent encouraging Christians to do everything as if for the Lord. Read Colossians 3:23. The Lord’s work isn’t just for missionaries and pastors; He calls all His children to different fields and assignments.

Paul also acknowledged that in this life there would be struggles, even for Christians. He acknowledged his own imperfections. This meant that to make the best use of his time, he needed to persevere, keep faith in God’s promises, and rely on divine power for victory. And indeed, at the end of his life, Paul was able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

The new year is a gift. It is an opportunity to serve the Lord for the next 365 days. How will you utilize your time so you can look back and, with Paul, confidently say that you ended well?

Janet