16.8 Christians

Here are some common numbers often thought about in reference to time each week:

168? What does that number represent? This is the total number of hours in a seven day week. We know that all 168 hours are a gift from the Lord. Since every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:18), we are to be good stewards of those hours. When we think of stewardship, we most likely think of money which is a gift from the Lord as well. Since we are exhorted to tithe, what about our time? If you were to give a tithe to the Lord for His gift of time, how much should be given each week? That would be 16.8 hours-a-week.

Now let’s consider that 16.8 hours in your week. It comes out to be 2.4 hours-a-day. In your week, how much time do you give to the Lord in absolute concentrated devotion of study, prayer, communication, meditation, singing, memorization, and listening? If you really gave Him your undivided attention in Sunday School and the church services as well as on Wednesday night, that would leave you approximately 12.3 hours. Divide that by six and you have 2.05 hours-a-day. Now, I’m not suggesting that we literally clock our time with the Lord, but shouldn’t we give the Lord each week an offering of our very best time? Mary got it right as recorded in Luke 10:38-42. She chose what was necessary, the best part (10:42).

We tithe on God’s money; shouldn’t we tithe on God’s time? Since God is sovereign over all, we can trust Him with our finances and our future. He rescued you from hell to enjoy fellowship with you. He knows what your day holds; He made it. Give Him the gift of your best time in fellowship and see how throughout the day He orchestrates your life. You might find that you will be singing in 16/8 time. 🙂 How about joining forces, and let’s be 16.8 Believers?

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce (Prov. 3:9).

Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord (Psalm 4:5).

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:6-7).

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need (Malachi 3:10).

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:31-33).

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name (Psalm 63:1-4).

Thanks to Missionary Milo Tomas (Philippines) for his example and leadership to be a 16.8 Christian! He is definitely a man who treasures “Christ in the midst” of his life (John 20:19-22).