Redeeming the Time: Sense and Sensibility

Another day is now gone, & added to those, for which we were before accountable. Teach us Almighty Father, to consider this solemn Truth, as we should do, that we may feel the importance of every day, & every hour as it passes, & earnestly strive to make a better use of what Thy Goodness may yet bestow on us, than we have done of the Time past.

Mrs. John Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility is perhaps the greediest and most self-centered character in Jane Austen’s novels. When her father-in-law dies, leaving his fortune and estate to her husband, she manipulates her husband so thoroughly that instead of giving his stepsisters “a thousand pounds a-piece,”^[1] he decides to give them no financial help whatsoever. When the funeral is over, she arrives at Norland, “without sending any notice of her intention to her mother-in-law,” with her son and their servants.^[2] She “install[s] herself mistress,” while “her mother and sisters-in-law” are “degraded to the condition of visitors.”^[3] Her only regret: that her mother-in-law gets to keep the “china, plate, and linen.”^[4]

Mrs. John Dashwood spends her days and time striving for one thing: more. Her life is focused solely on the accumulation of money and material goods. Though she has more than enough, she is not satisfied. She claims she wants her son, her husband, her brother, and even her mother to have more—but what she really wants is more for herself.

In contrast, Jane’s prayer reveals that each day is a gift, meant to be spent with intention and purpose. In these lines, she prays for the ability to “feel the importance of every day, & every hour as it passes.” Jane’s words remind us that we are accountable to God for how we spend our days. She desires to “earnestly strive to make a better use” of each day.

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it.

1 Corinthians 3:12–13

We have the choice to invest our time, talent, and treasure in eternal things that will not pass away or in temporal things that will. In Matthew 6:19–20, Jesus says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” The lesson: spiritual wealth is far better than worldly goods.

The desire for more is subtle and comes in many forms. However, focusing our time and energy on earthly goods and personal comforts only traps us in an unending loop. Beautiful homes become outdated and new cars get scratched. Health fails, natural disasters occur, world economies shift, and stock markets crash. When we trust anything to save us, secure us, or comfort us other than Christ, we build with faulty materials. Furthermore, we start to believe the lie that life on earth can or should be like heaven.

However, Jane’s prayer reminds us that our time here on earth is finite and precious; we are “accountable” for each day. Making “better use” of our time doesn’t necessarily mean working harder, multi-tasking, serving more, or accomplishing a list of tasks each day. It means living our lives unto God, investing in spiritual treasure and “redeeming the time” (Ephesians 5:16 kjv).

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Matthew 13:44

Invitation to Pray

Do you want to build your life on a foundation of “gold, silver, precious stones” and “lay up treasure in heaven?” The primary way you can do this is by investing in your relationship with God and in helping others to know him more.

God’s Word also teaches us to be mindful of how we spend our time. When you’re standing in line at the store, you can pray for or talk to the people around you rather than check your phone. While you’re driving, you can turn on worship music or a Bible teaching. When you’re doing chores, you can pray and sing. During this time of prayer, ask the Lord to show you specific ways to invest in eternal things.

Let Us Pray

Thank you, Father, for this reminder that each day is a gift from you. I ask you now to show me how to spend my day. Please show me any activities I can trade for something far greater. I want to invest in my relationship with you, in the lives of others, and in eternal riches. I confess to you now my tendency to spend my time and energy on other things: [your specific tendencies]. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15–16

^[1] Austen, Sense and Sensibility, 5.
^[2] Austen, Sense and Sensibility, 5.
^[3] Austen, Sense and Sensibility, 8.
^[4] Austen, Sense and Sensibility, 13.