Time: Your Most Valuable Asset

Last weekend I saw Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps last weekend and thought it was a pretty entertaining movie. It’s a sequel to the 1987 movie Wall Street and picks up when Gordon Gekko is released from prison. I won’t go into detail about the movie’s plot, but Gekko definitely loves money and isn’t afraid to sacrifice almost everything for it.

I was taken back by one line that Gekko had in the movie – “Time is the greatest asset you have.” If you watch the movie, you’ll see that Gekko isn’t a super sensitive guy and for him to recognize that time is the greatest asset you have on this earth, it makes you step back and think about the things that really matter.

I love talking, thinking, creating, and building businesses that succeed financially. Money is a great tool to advance projects and to support causes in life. But once we make money our main focus in life, that’s when problems can arise. The tough part is that the problems come gradually and the important things get pushed back slowly. Not too many businessmen make a decision in just one day to make their work a priority over their family, but the small choices made everyday can lead to that very outcome – even if they think their priorities are still straight.

Allocating time to the highest priorities in your life takes a concentrated effort. It’s easy to unintentionally let important things like faith, family, and relationships slip by while you’re attention is focused on things like work and becoming financially secure.

I think this verse is a great reminder of how we should prioritize our time.

Matthew 6: 31-33 says: “Do not worry then, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear for clothing?” For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

It’s important to understand that these verses aren’t telling us to forget work altogether and to focus every minute of our day on spreading the Gospel. We were created to work and according to Col. 3:23 we are to work at everything with all of our heart as working for the Lord. This verse is simply about priorities. It says seek His kingdom “first.” It’s up to us to prioritize the “second” and “third” thing we do – but I’m confident that we have a better chance of prioritizing these things in our life if we start with seeking His kingdom first.

We’re all given 24 hours each day – no more no less. Our time never increases, making it the most precious asset we have. So take a few minutes today and think about what you’ve been putting first.  Is it His kingdom?  If not, when was the last time you really evaluated how you were spending your time?

What are some ways you remind yourself to seek His kingdom first?