God, Our First Employer

In the beginning...God instituted work to man for his blessing.

"And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden...and the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it."

Genesis 2:5-25

Essentially, this is where God gave man work ethic. This was before the fall of man. After the fall of man, work was associated with pain and fatigue, but it was established with the intention of blessing.

Really, work is not only divinely inspired but without it, our bodies suffer atrophy physically, in mind and spirit. Work is actually therapeutic. So, how should we work? What attitude should we have? I have found so much wisdom in the WORD about this. Here's a quick dozen to ponder:

*WILLINGLY

"If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land."

Isaiah 1:19

*DILIGENTLY

"Work hard and do not be lazy."

Romans 12:11

*WHOLE HEARTEDLY

"Do the will of God from the heart."

Ephesians 6:6

*ENERGETICALLY

"Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might."

Ecclesiastes 9:10

*DETERMINED

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord."

Romans 12:11

*ENTHUSIASTICALLY

"...your enthusiasm has stirred them to action."

2 Corinthians 9:2

*JOYFULLY

"All these curses shall come upon you because you served not the Lord your God           with joyfulness and gladness of heart."

Deuteronomy 28:47

*THANKFULLY

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus,                     giving thanks to God and the Father by Him."

Colossians 3:17

*LOVINGLY

"Dear children, let us not love with words or in speech, but with actions and in truth."            1 John 3:18

*FAITHFULLY

"You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things."    Matthew 25:23

*WITH EXCELLENCE

"Therefore, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

Know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

1 Corinthians 15:58

*WITHOUT DISTRACTION

Remember when Nehemiah would not be stopped because of his strong sense of purpose and vision? 

"I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down; why should the work cease?" Nehemiah 6:3

and most importantly...until the job is finished for the glory of God.

This is probably the most important of all. This motive must become part of whole being – it enables our life to be transformed! No matter how dull or meaningless the work, the toil is a joy and delight when we do it for His glory!

"Whatsoever you do, do it all for the glory of God."                                                                         1 Corinthians 10:31

Press in and press on!

Giselle