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There is great treasure when we do our jobs as unto God. The book of Proverbs tells us in Pr. 12:24, “The hand of the diligent will rule…” and in Pr. 13:11, “Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases” and again in Pr. 14:23, “In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Let me state a couple of quick things about work:
- You are to work in reverence. In this we realize that the ability to work is God-given. It’s the grace of God that gives you the ability to work and make wealth. In other words, your ability to work, make money, and enjoy it is God-given. So work in reverence because it is from God. And reverence should naturally bring an attitude of thanksgiving.
- When you work you need to work hard. The Apostle Paul teaches us in Colossians 3:23, “And whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men.” Don’t be lazy or a sluggard as Proverbs calls it. Believers work hard!
- Work as unto God.Paul wrote to the slaves on the island of Crete in the book of Titus 2:10 to do their work “not pilfering (thieving) but demonstrating good faith (or the ability to be trusted) so that they might adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. The word ‘adorn’ is from a Greek word where we get our word cosmetic or to beautify. In other words, a hard worker beautifies his testimony by his labors.
- Work as though it was rewarded by God. Work as though you were going to called to account because you will.
- Work loyally to your boss. Paul said to the Colossians, “Submit to your masters” and then he said, “Not by way of eye service as men pleasers but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart.” It is no act of great virtue to go behind your bosses back and slander him. Don’t sit around the water fountain and talk about your boss, deal with it appropriately or work loyally.
- Do your work with excellence. Solomon said in Proverbs 22:29, “See a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” Do your work rightly knowing for whom you do it. Let the glory of God inspire you to excellence! You don’t have to Davinci painting the Sistine Chapel to glorify God in your work. You can glorify God in any job you have simply by doing it faithfully.
