Good Words from God’s Word
Maybe you’ve seen this bumper sticker, "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go."
For a vast portion of the workforce, that's the best reason they can muster for going to the job each day. According to one poll, only 46 percent of American office workers are satisfied with their jobs. In Japan, the figure dips to 17 percent.
In the first century, Christian slaves had even less reason to be enthusiastic about their work. Paul gave them a way to grasp a glimpse of glory amid the grind. He wanted them to witness to their faith in Christ by the way they did their work, “Urge bond slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect” (Titus 2:9-10).
Your work place and your work ethic can become the best witness for Christ you possess. Do not leave Christ at home when you go to work.
Martin Luther understood this when he wrote, "The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays -- not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors. The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship."
The laziest man in the village was actually running. His hat was off, and his coat was flying in the wind. On and on he sped, till, crash, he collided with the Baptist preacher, who had to pick himself up out of the roadway. "Why, what on earth has made you run— and so fast, Sam?" asked the preacher.
"Can't wait," gasped Sam, "I heard of some work."
The preacher caught him by the arm, "And did you get the job?" he asked.
"I don't know," replied the man, struggling. "I only just heard of it. I'm going to find out."
"Well, good success to you, Sam," said the preacher, releasing his grasp. "What kind of work is it?"
"Some washing for my wife."—Gospel Herald.
The Bible says, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” (Colossians 3:23).
Be thankful today for your job. Thank God for good work and the privilege you have to demonstrate Christ’s love in the workplace. If your job is not the best or even very difficult to appreciate, ask God to give you His perspective about it. God may see your difficulties as the best means to give a winning testimony to His goodness and grace. So, seek the mind of Christ about your work.
Finally, appreciate who your real boss is. The boss or supervisor you have now may not be someone the one you would like to have, but your real boss is God who loves you and cares about you, “…know that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” So, do your work every day like you are working for Jesus.
Maybe you’ve seen this bumper sticker, "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go."
For a vast portion of the workforce, that's the best reason they can muster for going to the job each day. According to one poll, only 46 percent of American office workers are satisfied with their jobs. In Japan, the figure dips to 17 percent.
In the first century, Christian slaves had even less reason to be enthusiastic about their work. Paul gave them a way to grasp a glimpse of glory amid the grind. He wanted them to witness to their faith in Christ by the way they did their work, “Urge bond slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect” (Titus 2:9-10).
Your work place and your work ethic can become the best witness for Christ you possess. Do not leave Christ at home when you go to work.
Martin Luther understood this when he wrote, "The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays -- not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors. The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship."
The laziest man in the village was actually running. His hat was off, and his coat was flying in the wind. On and on he sped, till, crash, he collided with the Baptist preacher, who had to pick himself up out of the roadway. "Why, what on earth has made you run— and so fast, Sam?" asked the preacher.
"Can't wait," gasped Sam, "I heard of some work."
The preacher caught him by the arm, "And did you get the job?" he asked.
"I don't know," replied the man, struggling. "I only just heard of it. I'm going to find out."
"Well, good success to you, Sam," said the preacher, releasing his grasp. "What kind of work is it?"
"Some washing for my wife."—Gospel Herald.
The Bible says, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” (Colossians 3:23).
Be thankful today for your job. Thank God for good work and the privilege you have to demonstrate Christ’s love in the workplace. If your job is not the best or even very difficult to appreciate, ask God to give you His perspective about it. God may see your difficulties as the best means to give a winning testimony to His goodness and grace. So, seek the mind of Christ about your work.
Finally, appreciate who your real boss is. The boss or supervisor you have now may not be someone the one you would like to have, but your real boss is God who loves you and cares about you, “…know that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” So, do your work every day like you are working for Jesus.
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