My boss helps plant churches across the world. If my job is to help him make the most of his time (Eph 5:16), every moment of time I can give back to him by being brief frees him to serve others more. No conversation is benign—the mouth speaks out of the heart (Luke 6:45). So what makes me ramble and waste people’s time?

1. Excuses

Excuses, regardless of veracity, are almost always a waste of time. They often reveal a lack of trust in God to reveal truth and an arrogance that I have a reputation to protect.

2. Need for Man’s Affirmation

Does that extra sentence make me look clever? Does my boss really need to know that I worked three hours on something? Why?

3. Laziness

It takes more time to carefully think through my words and edit them, while it’s easier to type and send them without a second glance. I can spare my boss ten wasted minutes by editing with five of mine.

4. False Humility

A prideful preoccupation with appearing humble adds countless unhelpful phrases like, “This may sound totally stupid, and I’m just an idiot, but…” If I’m so unsure of my message, I shouldn’t share it. If I am sure, then I should just say it.

5. Narcissism

Excellent assistants get over themselves. I’m on my boss’ mission, not vice-versa. If I foster a sense of self-importance in my work, I will waste everyone’s time with my opinions.

6. Loneliness

Loneliness outside the workplace breeds longer social interactions in the workplace, especially if you experience the most appreciation and success there. If I need my boss as a friend, I will expend more of his time than is necessary.

7. Brevity Caveat

The purpose behind brevity in communication is to serve the recipient with clarity, truthfulness, humility, and gentleness. Where brevity assaults these, it must defer to Christ-like verbosity. I think you will find that, for the most part, our words could be used more sparingly, and it would honor Jesus and serve our brothers and sisters better. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent (Proverbs 10:19). As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God (1 Peter 4:10-11).