The westerners often compare time with money because they look upon time from a commercial angle. Thus, they say that 'Time is money'. This definition is indeed shallow in nature.

There is a Chinese saying that states that an inch of time cannot be bought with an inch of gold. This saying links time with money, but the emphasis is that although time is deemed to be as precious as gold, it is not possible for one to replace time with gold.

Whatever the case may be, it is shallow for one to define time in terms of money. It does not take into account culture, and it is a definition far from any acceptable standard.

I have given time 3 definitions. If you can remember these three, you would find them useful for the rest of your life.

Firstly, time is life.

Your life span cannot possibly be longer than the time you have. Thus, to waste time would be to waste life itself. To squander away time would be to squander away life.

I have often asked others, "Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Have you heard the gospel of Jesus Christ? Are you willing to come to church to worship and listen to the gospel?" Their answers often would be, "I am willing, but I am just too busy. I have no time!"

They live within time, and have been using time. Yet they say they have no time. Do you not find this contradictory?

Why are they lack of time? They are too busy! Why can't they make arrangement in their time schedule and set aside time for sermons and worship services?

When are you going to have enough time? Are you going to wait till you are gravely sick before you can find time?

You have considered your life and the Way of life as worthless, not willing to spend even a little time to think about the value of life, its meaning, purposes and the matters of life and death. You have not being thinking seriously about your life, which is why you time, life and time have been given to money.

This is the type of life that many people are leading today. Are you one of them?

Secondly, time is opportunity.

Obviously, we do not have opportunities in every second of time. But all opportunities are to be found in time.

No one knows how much time he has left on earth. Some people made speeches plan and arranged for some work to be done, and suddenly leave the world that every night.

I have a friend who would look into the obituary page first when he reads the newspaper, looking for familiar faces. I asked him, "Would it be possible that you will see your own obituary?" He answered, "No, you can only see the death of others, but never your own death." Although we cannot see our own death, death will come upon us one day as well. If you were to leave the world this evening, are you prepared?

Time is opportunity. Do you have the opportunity to repent? Do you have the opportunity to listen to a sermon? Do you have the opportunity to receive the grace of our LORD? Have you had the opportunity to see the filth in your own life under the moving of the Holy Spirit and the illumination of the Bible? Have you heard words of grace, telling you that your sins can be forgiven? What do you think about the many opportunities when you can come before the LORD Jesus? Why have you rejected them time and again? God is not to be taken lightly. He has been gracious and patient, giving you the opportunity to repent and submit to Him. Have you taken hold of these opportunities?

Thirdly, time is a record.

When I preach, the audio recorder would record every word I say. My thoughts have been recorded in time. I always remind myself that I have to be careful because even mistakes would be recorded as well.

I hope that you will feel the same way, because heaven has a recording of you. Do not think that no one knows about your sins, and only your conscience is involved.

Do not forget, time is a record! The Creator LORD is recording every moment of your life.

The prayer of Moses is great indeed, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." He linked time with wisdom, and knew that he should seek direction from the LORD that transcends time.

The wise man lives within time itself, and builds his life based on ethics. The foolish man however, wastes away his life in time with evilness.

How are you holding on your time today? What sort of things makes up the content of your existence? Upon what foundation do you build your ethics? Are you guided and directed in life with wisdom, and the more important question would be from where do you get this wisdom? Do you know the God who has created time, yet transcends time? He is the only one who can grant you wisdom while you are living in time.

I termed the prayer of Moses as the "Prayer of Life". This is very different from the prayers of daily living, which essentially ask for a trouble-free life, and things like prosperity in business. The Prayer of Life asks for our life to be link with the will of eternal God.

This LORD who created life, who gave us the breath of life, also pre-determined our sphere and span of life, so that we will seek after Him.

You cannot treat the opportunities given to you lightly. You also should not waster away the time that He has given to us. We must learn to number of days and have a heart of wisdom. We should treasure the days He has given to us with the wisdom He has granted to us.

May the LORD Jesus Christ grant you that heart of wisdom.

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