Story 17 :
Jesus befriended two sisters, Mary and Martha (Luke 10: 38-41).
While Jesus visited their home, they each chose a priority for the same hour while Jesus was there.
Martha busied herself with the most trivial tasks to show her hospitality. Instead of focusing on meal preparation with joy, she was distracted and overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, her sister Mary chose to sit by Jesus’ feet, listening to what he said now as her guidance into a better future.
While feeling overwhelmed and multitasking with anxiety, Martha complained to Jesus, “Look at Mary. I’m doing all the work, but she is not helping me at all!”
Knowing Martha was too preoccupied with how she could impress the guest, Jesus compassionately acknowledged and explained to her,
“Look, Martha, you’re worried and upset about many things at once. However, with each hour, there is only one thing that needs to be focused on. Your sister has chosen what’s better to strengthen her inside.
Whatever she chooses will never be taken away from anyone or anything. It’s hers forever.”
Lesson:
Your ability to use time wisely is money.
Time is the most precious currency in life.
Every minute goes by, it’ll not return.
Time is constantly ticking, how can you manage something that is always in forward motion?
Business trainer Brian Tracy has a simple view on time management:
“There is no time to be managed. There are only choices you make with each given moment.”
And he’s right!
Rich or poor, healthy or sick, and happy or depressed, everyone has equal 24 hours a day, no more and no less.
Your outer reality today is a sum reflection of your inner time consciousness.
Have you noticed that you’re surrounded by people who’ve chosen differently with the same background in the same period?
Raised by the same parents from the same home, one sibling achieved financial freedom in the 30s while the other struggled to pay monthly bills.
Under the same company training program, one employee consistently outperforms another and excels at problem-solving.
Both young mothers have small children, but one finds time for daily self-care while the other barely has enough time to sit down for a meal.
Aware of not, you’re constantly choosing throughout the day. What you prioritize in the same hour will manifest different results.
As an energy being, you’re spending energy all day on people and things. Who’s draining your energy, and what’s raising your energy?
After you’ve spent your energy at the end of the day, you’ll need a good sleep to restore and recharge your body battery.
At the end of each day, do you reflect on who and what drained the most of your energy? What choices could you have made differently to conserve more energy and reinvest back in yourself?
During my mindless years, I hung out with co-workers during lunchtime and engaged in the most trivial subjects.
I never examined the value of our discussions and how they would add to or reduce me.
Mary and Martha’s story raised my awareness of how I spent my time.
At the same hour, Martha chose to entertain Jesus. While multitasking, she worried about her next meal and missed Jesus’ teaching.
Meals will come and go, but how often would Jesus come to visit her and teach her the kingdom of knowledge? Martha was too busy to take advantage of the hour.
Recognizing the value of Jesus’ teaching, Mary invested in learning within the same hour. The information she received would transform her life irrevocably.
Which sister, Mary or Martha, would have better ROI, return on investment, for the same hour they chose to spend?
Inspired by Mary’s choice, I decided to use lunch hours to learn something worthwhile.
Every time we received a paycheck, there were always complaints about the injustice of income tax on hard-working employees at lunchtime.
Instead of joining the conversation, which would not help me financially, I decided to do something about it.
On days off, I went to tax workshops, met tax attorneys, and purchased programs, CDs, and books.
I brought teaching materials to work and took copious notes while studying them at lunch hour.
Because of my new routine, I learned many tips and ways to structure, categorize, and itemize expenses to have more deductions.
My tax account didn’t educate me. I took full responsibility to educate myself and apply my knowledge. I saved tons of income taxes over the years.
Had I chosen to complain about income tax, I would have remained in the same position today. I learned one simple truth:
Complaining is remaining.
Aware of how I used my time, I made better choices for the same hour each day. These choices have become my habits today.
As I improved my choices, I noticed that my energy vampires gradually released me and repelled me. I got luckier, and my life became easier.
Every hour goes by, you’re choosing. Choose wisely.
Now let the money door open with affirmations:
I AM a time master.
I AM always investing the best in me.
I AM prospering with my highest and best use of time.
Let the money truth be engraved in your heart.
Your ability to use time wisely is MONEY.