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Ecclesiastes 3:13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. (NKJV)
Without God, work is a necessary hardship and frustration to be endured… an utter futility that always leaves us wanting more. When viewed with a vertical (eternal, Godly) perspective, work becomes a gift from the Lord for our enjoyment.
For most of us, work will consume more than any other waking activity. Work is a source of fulfillment, accomplishment and purpose when it is undertaken as a gift from God. Without God, it is loathsome or it becomes our idol. Either way, without God it is a never ending cycle of disappointment and discontent.
What is your general disposition when you think about work? Our typical attitude is proof of our true perspective. Do you despise going to work? Are you constantly discontent always looking for the next job? Do you see work as something to be endured? Does minute after minute drone by leaving you with the excruciating task of trying to get through another day doing as little as possible? Is work merely the time of the day that you spend wishing you were doing something “fun”?
On the other end of the spectrum, has work become your god? How can you determine that? Has work replaced your time with the Living God? Does your primary sense of worth and purpose come from your work?
Work is a gift from God to be enjoyed!
It is neither to be loathed, nor worshipped. Through work God allows us to satisfy our God-given appetite for food, drink and pleasure. Within God’s framework, these appetites are a blessing to be enjoyed.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, (NKJV)
Hard work promotes discipline and a “mind your own business” mentality. Hard work rarely leaves us enough time to meddle or gossip. There is comfort and contentment in a life of hard work, consecrated to God in quiet peace and security.
Proverbs 10:16 The labor of the righteous leads to life, The wages of the wicked to sin. (NKJV)
When it comes to work, we have only two choices: consecrate our work to the Lord and enjoy all the many blessings of it; or work for ourselves and ultimately discover the futility of it.
Hard work apart from God is meaningless and one way or another, will disappoint you eventually. The hard work of the righteous leads to many Godly benefits of joy, security, fulfillment and satisfaction.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of work. We thank You for the blessings we enjoy because of Your gift. Help us to consecrate our work today to You and honor You in our labor. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Contemplation: Is work a joy or grief for you? Do you see it as a gift from God? Do you dedicate your work to the Lord or is work “separate” in your mind from spiritual matters?
Application: Typically, you will spend more of your waking hours working than anything else. Learn to see work from God’s perspective, and it will become a source of enjoyment and fulfillment.
(seriesid:9)