Time Bandits: Putting First Things First (LifeChange Books)

Who Is Stealing Your Time?

Each day, there are things you know you have to do. Then there are things you really ought to do, plus things you desperately want to do. But how do we find time for it all? Stuart Briscoe, former senior pastor of Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, presents an outstanding commentary on evaluating our priorities so that the concerns of this world do not rob us of our valuable time. Prioritizing our lives isn’t easy, particularly when we consider the conflict that can arise between doing what is good and being comfortable, popular, and profitable. But Briscoe calls Christians to boldly address any areas of selfishness and to begin to see life through kingdom eyes. When we do, our priorities will change to focus on goodness, righteousness, and truth.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.”

—Jesus (Matthew 6:33 )

It sounds great in theory to seek God’s kingdom first, but is it really feasible? So many things rob your precious time that you wonder if you can afford to bump everything else in your life to secondary status.

But this is not about prioritizing. This is a matter of heart. While you long for harmony in your harried schedule and significance amidst the busyness, God yearns to give them to you. Stuart Briscoe’s insights will guide you to the focused, fulfilling life you long for. Because once you begin seeking the Lord before all else, all else simply falls into place.

What are you waiting for? You have no time to waste.

Story Behind the Book

Stu Briscoe travels more than he is home, so time is a premium for him and his wife, Jill. He has found that the only way to stay focused on his life and ministry is to put first things first and not allow those things that attempt to steal his time to succeed. Upon further study, he has discovered that the right approach to managing his time and priorities is really to put the right things first. By putting God’s kingdom first and seeking His will, everything else falls naturally into place.

Stuart Briscoe was pastor of Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, for thirty years. He and his wife, Jill, have been featured on the widely broadcast Telling the Truth TV and radio ministries. He has written more than forty books and preached in more than one hundred countries. He and his wife have now assumed the roles of Ministers-at-Large for the church. They have three children and thirteen grandchildren.