How we spend our Leisure time
How do each of us spend our week? Let’s consider how a typical person would spend their week:
There are 168 hours in a week (24 hours times seven days).
| Hours | Activity |
|---|---|
| 40 | Normal working week |
| 7.5 | Commuting to and from work (assume 1.5 travel hours each day and working five days a week) |
| 14 | 2 hours each day of the week preparing and eating meals |
| 56 | 8 hours a day sleeping |
| 7 | Sundry other activities – one hour each day (on average) doing house keeping and all the other jobs which need to be done (taking children to school, etc). |
| 43.5 | ???????? |
| 168 | Total |
The hours in the above example would vary from person to person but I think you get the idea! What are you doing with those 43 hours left over – your spare time where you are free to choose what you do.
There are numerous activities which we could do in our spare time. Some of these activities take us towards God and others take us away from God. What is the Bible’s advice on how we use our spare time?
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians Ch.5:15-16)
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. (2 Timothy Ch.2:16)
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there, spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) (Acts Ch.17:21)
Using our spare time
The Bible encourages the believer to make the best use of his time.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. (Colossians Ch.4:5)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians Ch.4:8)
Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun— all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. (Ecclesiastes Ch.10:18)
Wasting time
In our spare time it may be tempting to become lazy and do nothing. But God warns us against laziness.
Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. (1 Timothy Ch.5:13)
This next passage talks about those who are idle:
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. (2 Thessalonians Ch.3:6-13)
The Bible encourages us to use our spare time working hard.
Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. (Titus Ch.3:14)
Entertainment
When people have spare time they usually look to entertainment to fill it. The entertainment usually turned to is movies, television, video games, magazines, etc. A large portion of these types of entertainment is full of immorality, violence and other behaviour which goes directly against the type of behaviour that God asked of us.
The Bible says that our leisure times should be spent profitably.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians Ch.10:31)
Life is here to enjoy!
A lot of people think that living a life according to the principles of God is not enjoyable. This is a long way from the reality of the situation. There are many verses in the Bible which make it clear that God does want us to enjoy ourselves.
But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. (Psalms 68:3)
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes Ch.3:12-13)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians Ch.4:4)
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy Ch.6:17)
