HONOR THOSE WHO WORK
As we celebrate Labor Day with family and friends, we should think upon those who have diligently worked to provide us the ability to enjoy the benefits that we have. Work is part of the original purpose for which God created people. We should celebrate those who have given us an example of walking in obedience to God’s word. |
God’s first words to Adam and Eve were instructions for what they were to do, including subduing the earth and ruling over the creatures (Genesis 1:28). He gave Adam the job of working the garden and taking care of it (Genesis 2:15). One of the first tasks was naming all the animals (Genesis 2:19-20). Work was created before the fall and given to Adam and Eve as part of making their lives meaningful. And all this was without a paycheck! Work is part of the purpose for which we are created.
Work is part of being in God’s image. God’s work in creation was reflected by the work he gave Adam and Eve to do in taking care of creation. And God is at work ongoingly in other ways we don’t always see. In one of his many disputes with the Pharisees over the Sabbath, Jesus said, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working” (John 5:17).
When we’re young, our parents give us a living by providing for us. And our culture increasingly promotes the idea that we are owed a living that we don’t have to work for. Parents, the church, or the government will take care of us and provide for our needs. This mentality of entitlement develops attitudes and lifestyles of laziness and selfishness – attitudes directly contrary to the values of the Kingdom. In the parable of the talents, the master called out the third servant (who did not earn a return on the master’s money) as being lazy and wicked (Matthew 25:14-30, especially verse 26). The writer to the Hebrews encouraged the readers to be diligent rather than lazy (Hebrews 6:11-12). Proverbs repeatedly warns against laziness (Proverbs 10:4; 12:27; 26:15). |
Besides providing for ourselves, God expects us to take care of our families and those dependent on us. Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8
That’s pretty harsh! If we fail to care enough to provide for our own families, we are actually denying the faith. Laziness in our approach to work and earning will inevitably be reflected in our faith and our walk with Christ as well. And this will destroy any witness we might have to unbelievers among our family and friends.
Ephesians 5:28 says that if anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Now most of us aren’t stealing. But this verse is about more than just “not stealing”. It’s about earning in order to care for others. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s concern for those in need and his commands to his children to care for the poor.
That’s pretty harsh! If we fail to care enough to provide for our own families, we are actually denying the faith. Laziness in our approach to work and earning will inevitably be reflected in our faith and our walk with Christ as well. And this will destroy any witness we might have to unbelievers among our family and friends.
Ephesians 5:28 says that if anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Now most of us aren’t stealing. But this verse is about more than just “not stealing”. It’s about earning in order to care for others. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s concern for those in need and his commands to his children to care for the poor.
OK, most of us aren’t stealing. But this verse is about more than just “not stealing”. It’s about earning in order to care for others. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s concern for those in need and his commands to his children to care for the poor.
Jesus emphasized love for our neighbor as the second of the two great commandments (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34). When pressed further with the question, “Who is my neighbor?” he responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan, essentially categorizing even enemies as neighbors. |
All of this, of course, requires that we have something to share with those in need – and we get that through working and earning. Refusing to work when we’re able and failing to set aside resources to share with the needy is direct disobedience to the second great commandment. Again, we see that work is an essential part of fulfilling God’s purposes for us.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 advises us to mind our own business and work with our hands, so that our daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that we will not be dependent on anybody. Earning a living and taking care of ourselves and our families – as well as caring for the needy – is a witness to others. In most places, work is still a general expectation and those who choose not to work are viewed as being lazy and self-centered. Working with diligence, purpose, and commitment is part of what it means to interact with non-believers wisely (Colossians 4:5). Our work can open doors of opportunity for witness to the Gospel.
So, we work in part to gain the respect of outsiders and potentially win opportunities to share our faith. But the mere fact that we work isn’t enough. It’s also important how we work – the attitudes, habits, and diligence we bring to our work, the behaviors that characterize our work, and the way we speak about our work and our co-workers. How we work reflects on our God and either opens or closes doors of opportunity for sharing our testimony. And, over time, these same behaviors and attitudes tend to result in long-term “success” in the area of earning – because they’re the characteristics that employers appreciate and look for.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord,
not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the
Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24
not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the
Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever our work is, God calls us to work with diligence, wholeheartedly. The work itself may seem mundane, repetitive or unimportant. At the other extreme, it may seem impossible and bring on stress. Certainly, some work situations are unhealthy and need to be left behind. But we’re called to give our best to any work situation as long as we’re there. We’re to work as if the Lord were our boss, because ultimately it is Christ we’re serving.
Part of this diligence is working with integrity. That means not just working hard when the boss is looking but genuinely, sincerely, and wholeheartedly (Colossians 3:22; Ephesians 6:5-6). And God promises a reward for work done this way (Colossians 3:24; Ephesians 6:8). |
So, honor those who have instructed you or provided a living example of how to work. Honor those to whom honor is do. Honor the first responders, the veterans, teachers, pastors, and the hard workers no matter what their profession.
KLN
KLN
Visiting the Body of Christ
We have been visiting churches in the area in the hope of networking with fellow Christians as we search to bring unity, and build the Kingdom of God. It is amazing to see the work that these bodies are doing for their communities. We hope to visit your church in the weeks to come!
First Baptist Church of Deer Trail - Pastor Sam Courts
Journey Church Strasburg - Pastor Dusty Morris
Calvary Baptist Bennett- Pastor Bob McCurley
Mountain View Christian Strasburg - Pastor Donn Headley
Strasburg Community Church - Pastor Steve Musser
Living Springs Cowboy Church Byers- Pastor Zac Sanger
Save the Cowboy Kiowa - Kevin Weatherby
Cornerstone Fellowship - Pastor Keith Sauder
First Baptist Church of Deer Trail - Pastor Sam Courts
Journey Church Strasburg - Pastor Dusty Morris
Calvary Baptist Bennett- Pastor Bob McCurley
Mountain View Christian Strasburg - Pastor Donn Headley
Strasburg Community Church - Pastor Steve Musser
Living Springs Cowboy Church Byers- Pastor Zac Sanger
Save the Cowboy Kiowa - Kevin Weatherby
Cornerstone Fellowship - Pastor Keith Sauder
Galatians 6:2 encourages fellow believers to "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. As a community, we are bound together with the love of Christ. We exhibit that love through prayer for one another. Someone in our midst may be hurting, believing for a new job, seeking direction from God. When we come together in agreement for each other, we see God begin to work! We want to agree with you. We encourage our readers to let us know what we can all agree on for you. If you have a specific need that you would like us to pray for, let us know. The Word of God compels us to pray for one another in the community where we live. So agree with us as we pray for each other!
Click on the "Comments Page" button below and we will post the need here in real time. We will utilize initials for privacy sake. |
|
Community Prayer List
Calling all Prayer Warriors:
-Pray for the upcoming Corridor Connections meeting @ May Farms in July
-Pray for PL for her continual guidance from God.
-Pray for our neighbors who are cleaning up from hail and floods.
-Pray for RG, he is home from rehab, but still needs healing for his back.
-Pray for LQ and his family. For healing in his sister in law's body and rest for all of them
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8 NIV
It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8 NIV