Even In Our Work, We Bring Glory To His Throne!

What is the definition of work?

Webster’s says,

1. activity in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something:
   1. sustained physical or mental effort to overcome obstacles and achieve an objective or result
   2. the labor, task, or duty that is one’s accustomed means of livelihood
   3. a specific task, duty, function, or assignment often being a part or phase of some larger activity
2. energy expended by natural phenomena
3. the result of such energy <sand dunes are the work of sea and wind>
4. the transference of energy that is produced by the motion of the point of application of a force and is measured by multiplying the force and the displacement of its point of application in the line of action

Now that we have a general idea of what work is, let’s take a look at the “Attitude” that we SHOULD have towards it. What better place to learn a lesson on proper attitude than the bible, it really is the only authority on it so, let’s see what it says.

Proverbs 18:9

⁹ He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

Matthew Henry says, “Omissions of duty, and in duty, are fatal to the soul, as well as commissions of sin.”

Proverbs 12:11

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

John Gill says (I am paraphrasing but encourage you all to read Gill on this, as his remarks are quite lengthy but to the heart of the matter), that we are all give land to till, that is, work to do. God is saying that it becomes a man to do his work, and he will be fed for it. For those who spend their time in the presence of the lazy, the empty and unprofitable, he is void of understanding. This person finds themselves starving. In the spiritual sense, as well as the physical sense, he who works will be fed and he who seeks the wisdom of the LORD will be filled. The lazy will starve, and in a spiritual sense he who does not seek the LORD will starve the soul and live in darkness.

Titus 3:1

3 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

We need to first understand that this is telling Christian to be obedient if the commands are godly. God is not giving Christians permission to sin stating that we can blame it on the president. We are not to obey laws that violate Gods laws. The leadership here is expected to be Godly leadership and we are to be prepared to God’s good work.

This verse certainly does talk about government. I would like to expound on that and give this verse as a reason why godly children are to obey godly parents. The parents are the government of the home. They are the magistrates, and the children are to obey, and be ready to do every good work for the LORD. It is never okay for a child professing to be of Christ to be disobedient to the parent who is acting inside the will of god. Whether this good work is to help feed the homeless, or to do the dishes of the home, you still serve the LORD in doing it. Any work done for the LORD is a good work, and as we just learned above, we all have work to do, so we must do it.

I will end with this.

Colossians 3:23

²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Charles Spurgeon says, “If you do all your work in that spirit, how noble it becomes, and how cheerfully you will get through it! You may have a master who is unworthy of your service; yet, if you “do it heartily, as to the Lord,” you will have rest of heart even in serving those who are froward and perverse, and the Lord will reward your service in due time.”

Gill says, “not by mere force and necessity, grudgingly, and with murmurings, but from the heart, and with good will, having a true, real, and hearty affection for their masters, having their good and interest at heart, and a delight in their service; like the Hebrew servant, that loved his master, as also his wife and children, and therefore would not depart from him.”

The bible contains so much about work. From the very beginning, before the fall when everything was perfect, God’s first command to man was to tend to the garden, in other words work. God gives us work, and we are told over and over that we are to do it. God takes it further and says that we are to work, no matter the manner, for him. We are to be obedient to God in our work, and to take great joy in even being able to work for god. Husbands, wives, and children, all aspects of the family doing work. Each one serving god first, then each other.

We should always be aware of laziness, and selfishness. The two contributing factors to self-service, which could be called idolatry. I have a saying, work first, play later. I am certain we have all listened to elders, in the church or in the home, tell us of how hard they had to work when they were kids. We should take care to look at the work that needs to be done and say I want to serve myself first and be lazy.

I praise God for work to do, and the health to do it. I ask the LORD to make me mindful of the things needing done. I know there are things that I need to do around the home, give me mind to do them LORD. Let my hands and feet be at your service. Open the children’s eyes and let them see the need to be obedient to parents, and to serve you by serving them. There are so many distractions in this world.

AMEN!!