"Three Topics To Think (upon)" of which this is the second.

The second topic that I wanted to discuss is the combination of two of Edwards' discourses. The first of these two discourses was on the subject of procrastination. Not the type of procrastination we typically think of, but more of the type of procrastination that puts off spiritual things until later, thinking we have plenty of time.
The second discourse was on the subject of the preciousness of time. This fit in very well with the first topic so I'll attempt to dive right into both of them.

First, Edwards draws a very good distinction between two ways of living. One is living for tomorrow and the other is depending upon tomorrow. These may, at least to my eye, appear to be very similar, but there is a very striking difference. The person who lives for tomorrow is doing what is required of him. He plans ahead, he sows so that he may reap, he lays up store for his family, he works to make a difference in the world and community and has a long-term plan. We don't know but that God may let us live a while longer upon this earth so we plan accordingly and attempt to put whatever time He gives us to the best use possible.
The second person, who depends upon tomorrow, puts off things of today because he is very certain that he will have time to do it tomorrow. Edwards, again, applies this to spiritual subjects: the man who thinks that his soul's good can wait another day. Surely he'll have time to repent tomorrow, or surely he'll have time to pray and study tomorrow and so pursues his pleasures now.

Do you catch the difference? This ties in closely with the preciousness of time. God has given us time, it is a gift to us! Edwards said that if we saw people spending money as freely as they spend their time, we would think they were mad! And yet the time that we have here is one of the most precious gifts that has been given to us. Use this gift wisely and for the glory of God, not for one's own pleasures.

Now I'll state right off that God does intend for us to enjoy His creation and relationships and everything good that He has created, but all of this tends to His glory insofar as it directs our hearts and minds to thankfulness and praise.

There are some people out there for whom time appears to be a burden. When they have time, they spend it all in front of the television or wasting it doing nothing. Their only goal seems to get this time off of their hands because it is too heavy to bear. They waste the precious gift that God gives.

One day we will have to give an account of all of the time that we were given and how we spent it. It's very similar to the parable of the talents: the master had given his three servants varying amounts of money and they were required to use it wisely. The first and second servant had been faithful with their differing amounts and were able to say to their master that they had used his gift in a very wise manner and for His benefit. The last servant had merely buried it. He hadn't done anything to profit even himself by gaining interest from it. He was a worthless servant.

It was convicting for me, to try to spend my time more wisely, to spend time alone in prayer and study, and time with others for their edification and my own. It has encouraged me to try to talk about spiritual things and things that really matter, rather than just trying to pass the time having "fun". My question to myself has been to ask how my speech and conversation edifies my friends. Spending time laughing and having a "good time" is all fine, but I should try more to profit from it, and help benefit them as well. I think that's what God intends to give true, lasting enjoyment from, not something that fades after one or two evenings.

So yes, time is precious! Seek to glorify God with the time He has allotted you.