If someone says my 'time for spiritual practice has come,' must I immediately open a temple and help others?

Not necessarily. First ask what time they mean: the time to begin understanding spiritual practice and learning exercises, or the time when you already have the ability to help others? These are very different. Hearing 'the time has come' does not automatically mean you should open a temple or become a teacher.

I sometimes use the phrase to encourage someone to reflect more on their life. One friend had good work and income, but after becoming involved in volunteering, began to feel that life was more than earning and enjoying money and wanted to contribute to others. In discussing her change, I also said her time for spiritual practice had come. This invited her to consider what she truly valued inside, not to begin immediately providing spiritual services.

I agree with following the natural course without forcing things and allowing understanding to develop gradually. But when someone does not yet understand their feelings, an appropriate reminder can help them begin thinking. A teacher who says the time has come should also explain what that means and suggest how the person can explore and learn next, rather than leave them with only that sentence.

So you do not need to become afraid beforehand or rush to give yourself a grand identity. You can directly ask, 'When you say the time has come, do you mean I can begin learning, or that I need to do something?' After understanding, think and make choices for yourself. Whether you can help people still depends on how much you have actually learned and what you have done. One reminder cannot let you skip those processes.