New Memory Verse!

 

Memory verse 1: Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything.  1 Chronicles 29:11

Memory verse 2: “Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender” Proverbs 22:7

Memory verse 3: “the way of the fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel” Proverbs 12:15

Memory verse 4: “you shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another” Leviticus 19:11

Memory verse 5: “whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” Colossians 3:23

If everyone was honest, most people would say they are at least somewhat unsatisfied with their work, some will hate their job, some will love what they do. If you consider the average person will work for close to 50 years, that adds up to at least 100,000 hours on the clock. This equals alot of your life, and to spend it dissatisfied is really unfortunate. Now I’m not suggesting we need to find a way to be fulfilled in our job and remain there forever. No, rather, wherever you find yourself working, you need to find a way to find satisfaction and joy in it, and the best way is to understand what the Bible teaches about work. Let’s explore this topic.

God created work

“The Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it” Genesis 2:15

When God created the Earth, even before the fall of man into sin, God assigned Adam work to do in the Garden. We all know we appreciate things a lot more when we put effort into something. I think this was God’s plan. However, it got significantly harder after the Fall.

“Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field; by the sweat of your face you shall eat bread. ” Genesis 3:17

Clearly, by that passage, earning a living got a lot tougher, but I really don’t believe God wanted us to be miserable each and every day. God still loves us in a way we cannot even understand. So how then should we find joy in our working day?

God’s Perspective on Work

a. Work is necessary

“if anyone will not work, neither let him eat” 2 Thessalonians 3:10

First thing we need to accept is that we all need to work, if we are physically able, in order to earn a living. That is just a fact of life.

b. Work develops Character

work teaches responsibility, work allows us to learn new skills, find purpose, develop people skills, discover new interests, learn to overcome adversity, problem solve, etc…

c. We should work for the Lord

“whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men…it is the Lord Jesus Christ whom you serve” Colossians 3:23-24

Here is where is starts to get interesting. We should be working as if Jesus was our boss. What does this mean? Ask yourself this, how did Jesus teach His disciples? Very simple, He taught them how to have a servants heart in all they did. And this applies in our work also. And this is the secret to finding joy in your day. Develop a servants heart in your work. Bless whatever company you work for. Be on time, be the most honest person, be the most helpful to you bosses and co-worker, do more than expected. If i could put this into a real example, I used to manage many people everyday. I can’t remember how many times i heard someone say “I don’t get paid enough to do that”. With that type of attitude, you never will. When we focus solely on ourselves with our job, we will never be happy. We will jump from job to job. We will find a reason to hate it. When we focus on serving within our jobs, we will find joy.

d. There is equal dignity in all types of work

No where in scripture does it elevate any honest profession above another. It all boils down to our attitude. Can we be thankful for the job we have currently? Even if it isn’t glamorous? Remember what we talked about in previous sessions about being faithful in the little things?

 

Lord we thank you for your provision. You have blessed us with the means and ability to work and to provide a living. God, help me recognize the blessings you shower on me every day. Help me to be a blessing to my employer and to those I work with. Show me where i can serve you today in my job. Thank you Jesus, amen.

 

Practical homework: continue to track your spending

 

Tomorrow: Responsibilities of God, us and as employees