Punctuality & Time vs Tardiness

Punctuality is demonstrating the worth of people and time by arriving for appointments before they begin.

Punctuality is based on 2 important factors. The first is a reverence(great respect) for time, and the second is a respect for other people. Punctuality is being present , prepared and alert for appointed times and seasons. Being punctual is living in harmony with those who is precisely on time.


We are to reverence time because God created it. ..days, nights, weeks, months and years. Also established seasons of the year and seasons of life. God designed the day for work and the night for rest.

Punctuality requires respect for other people and the time God/friends/etc has entrusted to them. Time is our most precious assets and irreplacable. We are given a limited amount of it and are accountable to people or God for how we use it.

When we keep other people waiting, we actually rob them of their time and hinder them from accomplishing their/other people's will.

"Lost Yesterday; Somewhere between sunrise and sunset; Two golden hours; Each set with sixty diamond minutes; No reward is offered; For they are gone forever" - Horace Mann

If you have robbed others of time by lack of punctuality, make a list of those whom you have wronged and ask for their forgiveness. Fulfill the promises that you have made to others, and design ways for others to hold you accountable for punctuality. Make sure this is a priority until punctuality is a consistent discipline in your life.

Motivation to make the most of every minute comes by realizing how short life truly is.

Procrastination is the thief of time.

People tend to count the faults of those who keep them waiting. The longer they wait, the more faults they find.

"I ought not to insult anyone by supposing that his time is worth nothing and that he himself is a nobody, who may as well wait for me as not." - C.H Spurgeon.

Punctuality is saying YES to wise planning and NO to delighful distraction. "So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" - Psalms 90:12

Time is the passing of life. Redeeming the time means rescuing it from going to waste.

Time is like a coupon; it does nothing for us until we exchange it for something of value. We get the most value for it when we invest it in eternal treasures.

Time is a valuable asset which can be multiplied when we use it fruitfully.

The punctual migration of swallows has been documented for thousand of years. Each fall, swallows fly south, and each spring they return - usually within twenty-four hours of their anticipated arrival.

Related Character Necessary for Punctuality:
* Organization - Organizing our lives and surroundings so that we can be on time
* Creativity - Designing more efficient ways to accomplish tasks so as to be on time.
* Initiative - Taking the lead in doing what needs to be done in order to be punctual.
* Patience - Forgiving the lack of punctuality in others.

Personal Evaluation
* Do you arrive punctually for meal times and other family gatherings?
* Do you arrive early at your place of employment?
* Do you keep appointments that you make with others?
* Do you promptly pay your bills?
* Do you write thank-you letters and notes in a timely fashion?
* Do you punctually return books or other items that you borrow?
* Do you fulfill the promises you have made to others?
* Do you go to bed early so that you can get up early?
* Do you arrive at a venue early so that you are ready at the appointed time?
* Do you quickly do all you can to meet a need that God brings to your attention?
* Do you seize opportunity known to you?