Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (NKJV)
Work, whether in the business world, or at home, is a two-sided coin: futile or fulfilling; painful or purposeful; discouraging or delightful.
The difference between the two sides of our work coin is that one side is dedicated to our personal desire and control; the other side is dedicated to the Lord.
On the personal side of the coin it doesn’t matter what kind of job you have, what kind of money you make or what level of achievement you rise to. The result of work not done in God’s name is futility, or in other words it won’t get you what your hoping for.
Work, apart from God, will never make you happy.
It will never be enough. It will never be satisfying. It will rarely be enjoyable over the long run. Contrarily, the other side of the coin is truly exciting! When you dedicate your work to the Lord, it doesn’t matter how lowly or esteemed your position is. We work for the Eternal Supervisor who has an entirely different, perfect way of measuring the value of what we do.
Being a corporate CEO done in selfish personal pursuit will leave you empty and unfulfilled. However, even digging ditches when done “as unto the Lord” will bring satisfaction and a clear conscience.
You see, God is not interested in our status, position or importance… He is interested in our love for Him. He is interested in our dedication and obedience in everything we do. Doing all things, including work, in the Lord’s name brings God’s favor:
- It brings blessing – Prov 22.29
- It is watched over by God – Psa 127.1
- Leads to a satisfying life – Prov 10.16
- It is a gift from God to be enjoyed – Ecc 2.24
Much of our discontent with labor, and the continual pursuit of a “better” job stems from not wholly dedicating our work to the Lord. When He wants us to move on, He will direct us, assuming we are in good fellowship with him. There is nothing wrong with seeking a better paying job, or accepting a position you will enjoy more… if done with God’s will as our primary measure.
Whether homemaking or business, if you are perpetually discontent with your labor it is most likely because you have not dedicated your work and time to the Lord. If you find yourself consistently feeling frustrated and discontent about your daily labor, ask God to help you understand why. Maybe you have not fully dedicated your day to the Lord.
O God, You have given us labor as a gift to be enjoyed. Help us to dedicate our work day to You so that we may find blessing and fulfillment in it. Amen.
Contemplation: Have you ever purposely dedicated your work to the Lord? When you think of work, do you primarily see God as your “employer”? Do you treat work as something not related to “Godliness”?
Application: Many Christians mistakenly separate the “secular” and the “sacred”. They see church as “God’s work” and employment as unrelated to serving the Lord. Realize that every moment of your day is sacred when consecrated to God in obedience, submission and gratitude.
- What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
- What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
- What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?