6 ways poor time management quietly drains your wallet

By Chuck Bentley, CP Guest Contributor Friday, October 23, 2026

Dear Chuck,

I’m beginning to understand the importance of managing money wisely, but I’ve never considered how time management also plays a role in stewardship. Could you explain the integration of time and money when it comes to faithful stewardship?

Growing as God’s Steward

Dear Growing as God’s Steward,

It is true that we are called by God to faithfully manage all that He provides. We often think of stewardship only in terms of our talents or our resources, but time may be the most valuable. Unlike money, time cannot be saved for later. Every person receives 24 hours each day, and once those hours are spent, they're gone and cannot be replaced.

Time on earth is short

Ephesians 5:15–16 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (ESV).

How we manage the minutes, hours, and days God gives us has a significant impact on how we manage our money. When wondering, “Where did my money go?” ask yourself, “Where did my time go?” The connection is usually identifiable.

Poor planning can be expensive

Poor time management costs us money in a multitude of ways:

• We don't plan meals, so we pay more to order takeout.
• We forget to pay bills, so we suffer late fees.
• We fail to maintain bank balances and end up with penalties.
• We wait until the last minute to purchase tickets, paying significantly more.
• We fail to plan the time needed to comparison shop and end up paying more.
• We postpone routine maintenance, so small repairs become expensive emergencies.

Individually, these decisions may not seem like a big deal. However, when repeated month after month and year after year, they consume a significant amount of money. Planning ahead creates financial margin.

Time to grow savings and investments

Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” (ESV).

Time is especially important when saving and investing. Someone who begins saving consistently for retirement early in life benefits from compound growth. When we continually tell ourselves, “I'll start next year,” we are not simply delaying a deposit. We're sacrificing time for money to grow.

The same principle applies to debt. Ignoring a credit card balance allows interest to accumulate. Delaying taxes can produce penalties. Postponing a financial problem rarely makes it less expensive. Procrastination is costly. Learn to avoid “later” when it comes to finances.

Skills develop over time

Wise time management helps avoid certain expenses while increasing our ability to provide.

Hours spent developing a skill, earning a certification, reading, studying, building relationships, or improving effectiveness in your profession may create opportunities for years to come.

Proverbs 22:29 says, “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men” (ESV).

While diligence certainly matters, every available hour should not be devoted to making money. That can become a form of bondage and poor stewardship. There’s danger in placing too high a financial value on our time.

Down time is needed

We can become so focused on earning money that we neglect our marriage, children, health, church, friendships, and relationship with God.

Psalm 90:12 says, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (ESV).

The goal is faithfulness. Sometimes wise stewardship means working. Sometimes it means resting. Sometimes it means turning down overtime to spend an evening with your family. Money can be replaced, but time cannot.

A practical way to improve your finances is to schedule time for them. Make regular appointments to review your budget, pay bills, and examine spending. Discuss finances with your spouse at a time free of distractions. Check and adjust your giving, saving, and investing goals, and prepare for upcoming expenses.

Many financial problems don't begin with a lack of money. They begin with a lack of attention.

Steward both well

God has entrusted you with both time and money. Use time wisely by doing the following:

• Plan before spending.
• Maintain what you own.
• Develop your skills and talents.
• Address problems early.
• Prepare for the future.

Avoid becoming so focused on financial success that you neglect the people and purposes that God has given you the resources to serve. Becoming better stewards of time makes us better stewards of money.

Do you want more helpful and encouraging tools and tips on financial stewardship? Are you interested in receiving ministry updates from around the world? Sign up to receive the Crown Newsletter by using the form on the homepage at Crown.org.