I preached Sunday from Ecclesiastes 2:12-26. One of the things the author struggled with was work. He saw work and anxious toil as meaningless and a chasing after the wind. A God-centered view of work, however, is much more optimistic and admirable. Work is hard. But biblically speaking there are good reasons to do it. Here are a few:
WORK TO GAIN
2 Thessalonians 3:10 is clear that those who aren’t willing to work, who are of course able, should not expect to eat. Work is the means by which we gain what we need to live. By working, we provide for ourselves, our family, our church, etc. Work is the way God determined for us to gain. The love of money is the root of all evil, yes. But money itself is the root of your house and food and clothing! How Christians spend their money is a fairly hot topic right now, but no one is able to avoid the fact that we are required to spend money on ourselves for the purpose of sustaining life. Therefore, if you can make a lot of money, then do so. If you can provide well for your family, then do so. Spend wisely. Avoid debt whenever you can. Invest winsomely. Work to gain.
WORK TO GIVE
Ephesians 4:28 provides as interesting view of work. Paul says, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” There are three options here. First, you can steal to get. Second, you can work to get. Third, you can work to give. Obviously Paul has in mind working to get, as we just saw. But here he deems generosity a reason to work. We work in order to give. How many of us see our paycheck as a means to give? A raise in pay means a raise in giving. Work enables us to not only live, but also give. So work to give. Think of some creative ways to teach your children how wonderfully the gospel is displayed in giving. Model work as a means of giving.
WORK TO GLORIFY
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24). Ultimately, work is not for us, it is for the glory and renown and fame of Christ. It is something that we get to do to make His name look good and reveal the depth of His worth. This is why, though work is difficult, we can wake each morning and give ourselves completely to the task at hand.
Let us work well!
GB
