Prioritizing Time and Resources for Serving Others Generously
Christian teaching on the stewardship of time and resources begins with the recognition that believers hold these as gifts from God, not as personal possessions. Peter instructs that "each one has received a special gift" and must "employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" [2]. This stewardship framework positions generosity not as optional charity but as the proper administration of what has been entrusted.
The Biblical Foundation for Generous Service
Scripture establishes both the mandate and the manner of generous service. Paul commands believers to "share with the saints who are in need" and to "practice hospitality" [3], while the Colossian church receives instruction to "act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time" [1]. The phrase "redeeming the time" carries the sense of purchasing opportunity—treating time as a commodity to be invested deliberately rather than spent passively. Hospitality receives particular emphasis as a test of Christian character [4], required specifically of church leaders [4] and to be extended not only to fellow believers but to strangers, the poor, and even enemies [4].
Prioritization in Practice
The tradition identifies several principles for ordering service. Matthew Henry observes that "the princes and great men were first and forwardest in the service of God," noting that "those that are entitled" to leadership bear responsibility to model generosity [6]. This reflects a broader pattern: those with greater capacity carry greater obligation. Yet the call extends to all believers, who are urged not to "be weary in well doing" [8]—an acknowledgment that sustained generosity requires deliberate resolve against fatigue.
John Chrysostom emphasizes the relational dimension, urging believers to "be friends, and warm ones too," not waiting to receive love but initiating it [7]. The commentary on Romans 12:10 clarifies that believers should be "outdoing each other" in showing honor, taking the lead in demonstrating self-sacrifice rather than calculating reciprocity [9]. This competitive generosity stands in stark contrast to the self-interest that characterized the surrounding culture.
The Spiritual Discipline of Decision
Effective prioritization requires what the tradition calls "decision"—the settled determination to serve God without divided loyalty [5]. This decisiveness manifests in "seeking God with the heart" and "keeping the commandments of God" [5], opposing the double-mindedness that attempts to serve competing masters [5]. The discipline involves both discernment of what God requires and creativity in devising "pious things" beyond minimum obligations [10].
Sources
- Colossians “Colossians 4:5 (BSB) — Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.”
- 1 Peter “1 Peter 4:10 (NASB) — As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
- Romans “Romans 12:13 (BSB) — Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hospitality — Commanded -- Ro 12:13; 1Pe 4:9. Required in ministers -- 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:8. A test of Christian character -- 1Ti 5:10. Specially to be shown to Strangers. -- Heb 13:2. The poor. -- Isa 58:7; Lu 14:13. Enemies. -- 2Ki 6:22,23; Ro 12:20. Encouragement to -- Lu 14:14; Heb 13:2. Exemplified Melchizedek. -- Ge 14:18. Abraham. -- Ge 18:3-8. Lot. -- Ge 19:2,3. Laban. -- Ge 24:31. Jethro. -- Ex 2:20. Manoah. -- Jdj 13:15. Samuel. -- 1Sa 9:22. David. -- 2Sa 6:19. Barzillai. -- 2Sa 19:32. Shunammite. -- 2Ki 4:8. Nehemiah. -- Ne 5:17. Job. -- Job 31:17,32. Zacchaeu”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Decision — Necessary to the service of God -- Lu 9:62. Exhortations to -- Jos 24:14,15. Exhibited in Seeking God with the heart. -- 2Ch 15:12. Keeping the commandments of God. -- Ne 10:29. Being on the Lord's side. -- Ex 32:26. Following God fully. -- Nu 14:24; 32:12; Jos 14:8. Serving God. -- Isa 56:6. Loving God perfectly. -- De 6:5. Blessedness of. -- Jos 1:7. Opposed to A divided service. -- Mt 6:24. Double-mindedness. -- Jas 1:8. Halting between two opinions. -- 1Ki 18:21. Turning to the right or left. -- De 5:32. Not setting the heart aright. -- Ps 78:8,37. Exe”
- Numbers (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Numbers 7:10: We have here an account of the great solemnity of dedicating the altars, both that of burnt-offerings and that of incense; they had been sanctified before, when they were anointed (Lev 8:10, Lev 8:11), but now they were handselled, as it were, by the princes, with their free-will offerings. They began the use of them with rich presents, great expressions of joy and gladness, and extraordinary respect to those tokens of God's presence with them. Now observe here, I. That the princes and great men were first and forwardest in the service of God. Those that are enti”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: towards another, that is, be friends, and warm ones too. Do not wait to be loved by another, but leap at it thyself, and be the first to begin it. For so wilt thou reap the wages of his love also. Having mentioned the reason then why we ought to love one another, he tells us also the way in which the affection may grow unchangeable. Whence he proceeds, “In honor preferring one another.” For this is the way that affection is produced, and also when produced abideth. And there is nothing which makes friends so much, as the earnest endeavor to overcome ”
- 2 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Thessalonians 3:13: But ye, brethren,.... The rest of the members of the church, who were diligent and industrious in their callings, minded their own business, and did not trouble themselves with other men's matters, took care of themselves, and their families, and were beneficent to others: be not weary in well doing; which may be understood generally of all well doing, or of doing of every good work; which is well done when done according to the will of God, in faith, and from a principle of love, and in the name and strength of Christ, and with a view to the glory of God: ”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 12:10: Be, &c.--better, "In brotherly love be affectionate one to another; in [giving, or showing] honor, outdoing each other." The word rendered "prefer" means rather "to go before," "take the lead," that is, "show an example." How opposite is this to the reigning morality of the heathen world! and though Christianity has so changed the spirit of society, that a certain beautiful disinterestedness and self-sacrifice shines in the character of not a few who are but partially, if at all under the transforming power of the Gospel, it is only those whom "the lo”
- Leviticus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Leviticus 27:1: This is part of the law concerning singular vows, extraordinary ones, which though God did not expressly insist on, yet, if they were consistent with and conformable to the general precepts, he would be well pleased with. Note, We should not only ask, What must we do, but, What may we do, for the glory and honour of God? As the liberal devises liberal things (Isa 32:8), so the pious devises pious things, and the enlarged heart would willingly do something extraordinary in the service of so good a Master as God is. When we receive or expect some singular mercy i”