Daily Bible Devotion - Serving God with Our Time

27. July 2026

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: Serving God with your Time, Tithes and Offering

📖 Weekly Devotion

Monthly Theme: Serving God with Our Time, Tithes, and Offerings

⏰ Serving God with Our Time (Part 2)

• What You Value Receives Your Time

Scripture Reading

Matthew 6:21; Haggai 1:2–9; Hebrews 10:24–25; Luke 10:38–42

Beloved,

One of the greatest indicators of what we truly value is not merely what we say—it is how we spend our time.

Our calendars often reveal our priorities more accurately than our confessions. We may sincerely say that God is first in our lives, but the real question is: Does the way we spend our time agree with what we profess?

Jesus made this principle very clear:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21, NKJV).

Where our treasure is, our hearts naturally follow. Likewise, where our hearts are, our time will eventually be invested. We always make time for what we truly value.

Think about it for a moment.

When families are preparing for a holiday, they often wake up at three or four o’clock in the morning without complaining. They carefully pack their luggage the night before, set multiple alarms and leave home early because they do not want to miss their flight.

Students preparing for an important examination sacrifice entertainment so they can study.

Professionals leave home much earlier than usual when they have a crucial interview because they understand the importance of being punctual.

Football fans travel long distances and queue for hours just to watch ninety minutes of a match.

Concert halls fill up long before the event begins because people value the experience.

No one has to persuade them to make these sacrifices. Their priorities make the decision for them.

Recently, while my family and I were on vacation in Malta, we intentionally left our accommodation very early each morning whenever we wanted to visit popular attractions. We knew that arriving late would mean losing valuable hours, facing larger crowds and missing the best part of the day.

It made me ask myself a searching question:

Do I show the same urgency when it comes to the things of God?

Do I prepare my heart for worship as intentionally as I prepare for a business meeting?

Do I make the same effort to arrive early for church as I do for an airport departure?

Do I eagerly anticipate prayer meetings with the same excitement that I anticipate holidays and celebrations?

These are uncomfortable questions, but they reveal the condition of our hearts.

The Lord confronted His people with a similar issue through the prophet Haggai.

“Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” (Haggai 1:4, NKJV).

The people were not lazy. They were busy.

They were building houses.

Managing businesses.

Looking after their own affairs.

The problem was not that they lacked time.

The problem was that God’s house had become a lower priority than their own interests.

The Lord therefore said,

“Consider your ways!” (Haggai 1:5, NKJV).

That same question echoes to every believer today.

What does my schedule reveal about my priorities?

God has never asked us to neglect our families, careers or responsibilities. In fact, Scripture teaches us to work diligently and faithfully. However, God must never become an afterthought while everything else occupies the best of our time and attention.

One statement has become increasingly common among Christians today:

“I have a personal relationship with God. I don’t need to attend church regularly.”

While a personal relationship with Jesus is absolutely essential, the New Testament never separates personal devotion from fellowship with God’s people.

The writer of Hebrews encourages us:

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another…” (Hebrews 10:24–25, NKJV).

God designed the local church to be a place where believers grow together.

It is where we worship together.

Pray together.

Learn together.

Serve together.

Encourage one another.

Bear one another’s burdens.

Exercise our spiritual gifts.

And mature into the likeness of Christ.

Private devotion prepares us to know God personally.

Corporate worship strengthens us to serve Him faithfully alongside His people.

The early Church understood this well.

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42, NKJV).

Notice the word steadfastly. Their commitment to gathering was not occasional or convenient. It was intentional because they understood that spiritual growth flourishes within Christian community.

Jesus also illustrated the importance of priorities in the home of Martha and Mary.

While Martha was busy with many responsibilities, Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His teaching.

Jesus lovingly said,

“Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42, NKJV).

Jesus was not condemning service. Martha’s work mattered. Rather, He was teaching that our service must never replace our relationship with Him. Before we serve Christ effectively, we must first spend time with Christ personally.

As believers, we should never see church as an obligation but as a privilege.

Every part of the service has spiritual significance.

When we gather for prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on God.

When we praise and worship, we exalt His greatness and prepare our hearts for His presence.

When the Word of God is preached, our faith is strengthened, corrected and nourished.

When we give our offerings, we honour God with our substance and express our gratitude.

When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we remember Christ’s sacrifice and proclaim His death until He comes.

When we fellowship with one another, we encourage one another to continue faithfully in the faith.

None of these moments should be treated casually.

As we conclude, let us examine our hearts honestly.

We become anxious when we miss an important meeting.

We panic when we are late for our flight.

We feel uncomfortable when we skip a meal.

But do we experience the same hunger when we neglect God’s Word?

Jesus declared,

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4, NKJV).

May our calendars, our priorities and our daily choices testify that Jesus Christ truly occupies first place in our lives. Let us honour Him not only with our lips but also with our time, for what we value most will always receive our greatest investment.

🙏 Prayer Points

1. Father, examine my heart and reveal every priority that has taken Your rightful place in my life.

2. Lord, help me to value Your presence, Your Word and Your house above every earthly pursuit.

3. Give me a heart that delights in worship, prayer, fellowship and faithful service in the local church.

4. Teach me to order my life in such a way that my time reflects my love for You and Your Kingdom.

Let us know your thoughts on this website

Shalom,

Rev. Joseph Antwi