Wasting time is poor stewardship

Time that is wasted can never be recovered. Time does not even care if we take it for granted. Even if we ask for time to slow down so we can catch up and mend our ways, it just goes on and on.

Important life decisions should be taken seriously.The failure to study well in school, disregarding good advice from parents, wasting money on momentary pleasures, not spending enough quality time with your kids, and/or ignoring principles of financial planning, are just some of the many mistakes which can lead to grave consequences.

Wasting time is also evident in the “mañana” habit (i.e. procrastination) and “bahala na” mentality (i.e. come what may) of many Filipinos when it comes to buying insurance. A father of two young children was once asked if he has life insurance already. His answer was the famous line: “Not now, maybe some other time” (Huwag muna ngayon, tsaka na lang yan).”

The friend responded: “What if you’re taken out of the picture: How will your family move on?” The father remarked with a grin: “Bahala na.” Five years later, he was diagnosed with a heart problem. He realized that he needed life insurance so he called all insurance agents he knew and said he was ready to get his first policy.

Sadly, no insurance company would take him in because of his health risk. One company offered him insurance but for a price that was more than double the amount given to those with no health complications. However, he did not have enough savings to pay for the required amount. Did he waste time? Yes. He should have bought insurance when he was younger and healthier. Can he pull back time? No.

Wasting time is poor stewardship. Every day, we are given enough opportunities to be good stewards of our lives and resources. Remember: we’re just living on borrowed time and we should make every effort to use it wisely whenever and wherever we can.