In a world that constantly demands more, more productivity, more achievement, more giving it is easy to believe that what God wants most from us is something tangible. A sacrifice. A contribution. An offering we can measure. Yet Scripture gently and consistently reminds us that what God desires most is our time, our presence and our hearts.
Time Is Sacred to God
Time is one of the most valuable things we possess. Once it is spent, it cannot be reclaimed, and that is precisely why it matters so much to God. When we give him our time, we are giving him something irreplaceable. Throughout Scripture, we see that God has always desired closeness and fellowship with his people. King David expressed this longing when he wrote, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple” (Psalm 27:4). In 1 Samuel 13:14, God referred to David as “a man after my own heart.” Jesus himself reaffirmed this priority when he said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). We see this same intimacy reflected in the life of Moses, of whom Scripture says, “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:11). These examples highlight how much God values time spend in his presence.
From the beginning, God walked with Adam in the cool of the day not to receive sacrifices, but to enjoy fellowship. Scripture tells us, “They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day” (Genesis 3:8). God is not impressed by rushed prayers squeezed into busy schedules or offerings given without relationship. He longs for connection, and when our giving becomes a substitute for time with him, we miss his heart entirely. As Isaiah wrote, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Isaiah 29:13). It is possible to give and serve God yet remain distant from him. God desires more than what we do for him, he desires us. We see this clearly when Mary sat at Jesus’ feet while Martha busied herself with serving, and Jesus affirmed what mattered most when he said, “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). Presence was the best option.
Jesus himself modelled this truth. He often withdrew from the crowds and demands placed on him to spend time alone with the Father. Scripture tells us, “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). Before major moments of ministry, decision, and sacrifice, Jesus chose solitude and prayer. We see this before he selected the twelve disciples, when “he went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God” (Luke 6:12). His strength, clarity, and obedience flowed from that time of communion. Even in the early hours of the morning, “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). If the Son of God prioritised quiet time in the presence of the Father, how much more do we need that same stillness, dependence, and connection in our own lives?
Why Time Matters More Than Money
Giving God our time reflects trust, surrender, and love. It says, you are my priority. Jesus highlighted this when he encountered the rich young ruler, a man who outwardly obeyed the commandments and was confident in his obedience, saying, “Teacher, all these I have kept since I was a boy” (Mark 10:20). Yet despite his moral discipline, he struggled to surrender what mattered most to him. Scripture tells us that Jesus looked at him and loved him, saying, “One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me,” and the man walked away sorrowful because his possessions held his heart (Mark 10:21–22).
This reminds us that faith is not measured by our performance or by what we give and do for the things of God, but by what we are willing to surrender in order to create space to spend time with him. God is not keeping score of minutes, but he notices our availability, and he honours hearts that make room for him, not just on Sundays, but in the ordinary moments of daily life. As Scripture reminds us, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). As we reflect on our lives and priorities, it is worth asking whether we give God our leftovers or our first fruits, and whether we measure faith by what we give or by how deeply we know him.
Practical Ways We Can Give God Our Time
Giving God our time does not have to be complicated or overwhelming. It begins with intentional presence and a willing heart. Here are a few simple, meaningful ways we can offer our time to him:
- Start your day with God
Dedicate the first moments of your morning to prayer, worship, or Scripture before the noise of the day begins (Mark 1:35). - Sit in stillness
Spend quiet, uninterrupted time simply being with God, with no agenda, no requests, just listening (Psalm 46:10). - Read and meditate on the Word
Not to rush through a chapter, but to reflect, journal, and allow God to speak (Psalm 1:2). - Invite God into everyday moments
Talk with him while driving, walking, or doing daily tasks, remembering that presence isn’t limited to a place (Proverbs 3:6). - Set aside intentional prayer time
Schedule time with God as you would any meaningful or important appointment, honouring it as sacred (Matthew 6:6). - Serve from a place of intimacy
Let acts of service flow from time spent with God, not as a substitute for it (John 15:4).
When we give God our time, we give him access to reveal his plans for us, shape us and guide us in our walk with him. Time in his presence is time well spend.“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8
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