This weekend many of you reading this will have an extra day off to relax from your laboring. For we us Christ-followers, the break in routine gives us an opportunity to truly consider the importance of our work. Consider the following:
- Work is a blessing from God. Even in the perfect, pre-fallen world, Adam had a job to do. Genesis 2:15 says “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” God knew that work was good for him—and for all of us. It keeps our body and mind active. It gives us a sense of purpose, productivity, and achievement.
- Work brings the bounty of God. The Israelites were instructed in Deuteronomy 8:18 “But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…” Money is not everything in the world, but it’s reasonably close to oxygen. I always loved the grandma-ism “The best place to go when you need money is to work!” God gave us work to provide for ourselves and our families. In the Levering home, we have used an idea from Financial Peace University. Instead of giving our kids an allowance, they work on commission. We have a job board on our kitchen counter. It has magnetic clips and each clip has extra jobs and the amount of money that job is worth. If someone needs money, they go to the job board and get to work. No work = no money.
- Work keeps The Boss pleased. Paul wrote the following to slaves & bondservants in the church at Colosse. Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. If you are a Christian, you should be an exemplary worker. Show up early. Have a good attitude. Go the extra mile. Work even when the boss isn’t around. Why? Because it impresses the boss? It might, but that’s not why. You work well because that pleases God—who is The One you are really looking to please anyway. Regardless of how bad it may be, you have the choice of what kind of worker you choose to be. So, praise Him in whatever work you do and whatever place you have on the org chart.
When you go back to work this Tuesday, may you honor God in all your work. Work is His blessing, it brings His bounties, and reminds us who our Boss really is. Because work started in the mind of God, it is only with God that we can find true contentment and fulfillment in our work. Though, your work produces many benefits, the greatest blessing is not what you work for, it’s Who you work for that matters most.