Have you ever noticed when someone gets caught up in a conversation that takes them longer than expected they look down at their watch and say, "Will you look at the time?" Why? Because they have just realized that time has slipped away from them.
In 1 Corinthians 7, the Apostle Paul is basically saying the same thing to believers. He says there are two things that we, as believers, can look at that will tell us what our priorities should be in this life.
He first says, LOOK AT THE CLOCK. (v.29) "But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;" The word 'short' means contracted. It is used only one other time in the New Testament and that is referring to when Ananias dropped dead from God's judgment and the the young men "wound him up."
What is Paul saying? He is saying that we need to look at the time and realize time is short, it is about to be wrapped up! And because time is about to be wrapped up he says that "both they that have wives be as though they had none;" In other words, our HUMAN relationships should not take priority over our HEAVENLY relationship with Christ. Then, notice what he goes on to say...
(v.30a) "And they that weep, as though they wept not;" - Are you going to let some PAIN or some tragedy in your life keep you from serving God? If so, you will never serve God because life is full of pain and tragedy.
(v.30b) "..and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not;" - Are you going to let PLEASURE in your life keep you from serving God? While some allow bad things to hinder them, others let good things hinder them. When life is good they do no need God.
(v.30c) "..and they that buy, as though they possessed not;" - Are you going to let POSSESSIONS in your life keep you from serving God? Many a man has allowed his business or work to hinder his walk with God.
Then Paul says, LOOK AT YOUR CLOSET. (v.31) "And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away." It is ok to use this world in a way that glorifies God but many abuse it by going too far and they start worshiping the creation instead of the Creator. But ultimately Paul is reminding us to not get too attached to this world because "the fashion of this world passeth away." He says to just look at your closet and just as the fashion of this world passes away, so is time passing away.
What are you doing for Christ? Live for him, today!