The concept of dedicating time to religious practices and devotion is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative and is a significant aspect of the Christian life. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that emphasize the importance of setting aside time for worship, prayer, study, and service to God.

Sabbath Observance

One of the earliest examples of time dedicated to religious observance is the Sabbath. In Genesis 2:2-3 , it is recorded that "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished." The Sabbath was later codified in the Ten Commandments, where God instructed the Israelites to "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy" (Exodus 20:8). This day of rest and worship was a time set apart for the people to focus on their relationship with God.

Daily Devotion and Prayer

The Bible also highlights the importance of daily devotion and prayer. In the New Testament, Jesus serves as a model for this practice. Mark 1:35 states, "Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray." This example underscores the value of setting aside time each day for personal communion with God. The Apostle Paul further encourages believers to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), indicating that prayer should be a continual and integral part of a Christian's life.

Corporate Worship and Fellowship

The early church exemplified the practice of gathering together for worship and fellowship. Acts 2:42 describes the early believers: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This communal aspect of faith was vital for spiritual growth and mutual encouragement. Hebrews 10:25 admonishes believers not to forsake "the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Study of Scripture

Time given to the study of Scripture is another critical component of religious devotion. Psalm 1:2 speaks of the blessed man whose "delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night." The Bereans were commended in Acts 17:11 for their diligence in examining the Scriptures daily to verify the teachings they received. This dedication to understanding God's Word is essential for spiritual maturity and discernment.

Service and Ministry

The Bible also calls believers to dedicate time to service and ministry. Ephesians 2:10 states, "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life." Christians are encouraged to use their time and talents to serve others, reflecting the love and compassion of Christ. Galatians 6:9-10 urges believers, "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith."

In summary, the Bible provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the importance of time given to religious practices. Through Sabbath observance, daily devotion, corporate worship, study of Scripture, and service, believers are called to prioritize their relationship with God and live out their faith in tangible ways.Time Given To Religion

The children of Israel were redeemed by the Lord (Exodus 15:1-19), hence they belonged to Him. It is interesting to note that the law Required them to give a large amount of their time to His service.

1. To the Passover. Counting out one day for the Sabbath, they were Required to give six days to the feast of the passover and unleavened Bread each year; in a period of six years, thirty-six days; in a period Of forty-two years, two hundred and fifty-two days (Leviticus 23:4-8).
2. To the Feast of the Weeks. They were required to give one day To this feast each year; in a period of six years, six days; in a Period of forty-two years, forty-two days (Leviticus 23:15-21.)
3. To the Feast of Tabernacles. Counting out one day for the Sabbath, they were required to give six days to this feast each year; In a period of forty-two years, two hundred and fifty-two days (Leviticus 23:34-42).
4. To the Sabbath. They were required to give fifty-one days to The Sabbath each year; in a period of six years, three hundred and six Days; in a period of forty-two years, two thousand one hundred and Forty-two days (Leviticus 23:3).
5. To the Day of Atonement. They were required to give one day To the atonement each year; in a period of six years, six days; in a Period of forty-two years, forty-two days (Leviticus 23:26-32).
6. To the Feast of New Moons. Counting out one day for the feast Of trumpets, they were required to give eleven days to this feast each Year; in a period of six years, sixty-six days; in a period of Forty-two years, four hundred and sixty-two days (Numbers 28:11-15; Numbers 29:1-5 Amos 8:5).
7. In a Period of Seven Years.
   1. Sabbaths, three hundred and six days (Leviticus 23:3);
   2. feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread, counting out one day each year for the Sabbath, thirty-six days (Leviticus 23:4-8);
   3. feast of Pentecost, six days (Leviticus 23:15-21);
   4. feast of Trumpets, six days (Leviticus 23:23-25);
   5. Atonement, six days (Leviticus 23:26-32);
   6. feast of Tabernacles, counting out one day each year for the Sabbath, thirty-six days (Leviticus 23:34-42);
   7. the first of every month, counting out one day each year for the feast of Trumpets, sixty-six days (Numbers 28:11-15; Amos 8:5);
   8. the seventh year, three hundred and sixty days (Leviticus 25:1-7).

   (306 + 36 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 36 + 66 + 360 = 822). They therefore gave eight hundred and twenty-two days to their religion in seven years.

8. In a Period of Forty-Nine Years.
   1. Sabbaths, two thousand one hundred and forty-two days (Leviticus 23:3);
   2. feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread, counting out one day each year for the Sabbath, two hundred and fifty-two days (Leviticus 23:4-8);
   3. feast of Pentecost, forty-two days (Leviticus 23:15-21);
   4. feast of Trumpets, forty-two days (Leviticus 23:23-25);
   5. Atonement, forty-two days (Leviticus 23:26-32);
   6. feast of Tabernacles, counting out one day each year for the Sabbath, two hundred and fifty-two days (Leviticus 23:34-42);
   7. the first of every month, counting out one day each year for the feast of Trumpets, four hundred and sixty days (Numbers 28:11-15; Amos 8:5);
   8. the seventh year, two thousand five hundred and twenty days (Leviticus 25:1-7).

   (2142 + 252 + 42 + 42 + 42 + 252 + 462 + 2520 = 5754). They therefore gave five thousand seven hundred and fifty-four days to their religion in forty-nine years.

9. In a Period of Fifty Years.
   1. Sabbaths, two thousand one hundred and forty-two days (Leviticus 23:3);
   2. feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread, counting out one day each year for the Sabbath, two hundred and fifty-two days (Leviticus 23:4-8);
   3. feast of Pentecost, forty-two days (Leviticus 23:15-21);
   4. feast of Trumpets, forty-two days (Leviticus 23:23-25);
   5. Atonement, forty-two days (Leviticus 23:26-32);
   6. feast of Tabernacles, counting out one day each year for the Sabbath, two hundred and fifty-two days (Leviticus 23:34-42);
   7. the first of every month, counting out one day each year for the feast of Trumpets, four hundred and sixty days (Numbers 28:11-15; Amos 8:5);
   8. the seventh year, two thousand five hundred and twenty days (Leviticus 25:1-7).
   9. the Jubilee, three hundred and sixty days (Leviticus 25:8-17).

   (2142 + 252 + 42 + 42 + 42 + 252 + 462 + 2520 + 360 = 6114). They therefore gave six thousand one hundred and fourteen days to their religion in fifty years.

Religion a Weariness to the Natural Man.
... And when God gave the blessing, He at the same time foretold that such ... this prediction
excuses our deadness to it; this dislike of the religion given us by God ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon ii religion a weariness.htm

On Religion in a Stricter Sense
... and ought to serve to explain the Christian religion. ... affirmation has always obtained
from the time when the ... is none other name under heaven, given among men ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xi on religion in.htm

On Family Religion
... a family wherein is the form of religion, if not ... real happiness of your children,
both in time and eternity ... courage, all the wisdom which God has given you; for ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 94 on family religion.htm

Prayer Essential to God
... that prayer may be omitted, or at least very little time may be given to prayer. ...
It is at this point that family religion has decayed, and just here is one ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/i prayer essential to god.htm

Preface
... They lay at opposite poles of thought; and for a time I succeeded in keeping the ...
Now this was not simply a scientific colouring given to Religion, the mere ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/preface.htm

The New Evangelism: and Its Relation to Cardinal Doctrines
... The prime end of religion was to get off; the plan of salvation was an elaborate ...
The world was to pass away, and the lust thereof, and all time given to it ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/the new evangelism and its.htm

Introduction.
... Did they express themselves thus, they would indeed attack religion in one of its ...
in this seat rather than any other; or why this moment of time, given me to ...
/.../introduction.htm

On the Christian Religion, with Regard to the Matter Generally
... to sinners; but it was at a time when remission ... is not exhibited in the doctrine
of the Christian religion. ... disclosed all his own goodness, and has given it to ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xiii on the christian.htm

Religion and Amusement.
... cannot countenance what is good in it, without at the same time countenancing much ...
It has given the young men a better opinion of religion; has withdrawn ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/religion and amusement.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... receive gratefully every ray of light, but the time has not ... Babylonian Literature,
pp.324ff.; the Deluge story is given by RW Rogers, Religion of Babylonia ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

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