Work is not a curse, it is a blessing from God who calls man to rule the earth and transform it so that the divine work of creation may continue with man’s intelligence and effort. (Pope John Paul II)
back it up with bible
Colossians 3:23,24 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.
Proverbs 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Proverbs 31:27 She [the virtuous woman] looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.
John 9:4 I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
1 Corinthians 15:10 By the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Ephesians 5:16,18 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Ecclesiastes 9:10a Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.
Romans 12:11 [Be] not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.
core christianity
Dress Your Dreams in Denim
Some college students think manual labor is the president of Mexico . . . until they graduate. Suddenly, the light dawns. Reality frowns. And that sheltered, brainy, fair-skinned, squint-eyed scholar who has majored in medieval literature and minored in Latin comes of age. He experiences a strange sensation deep within his abdomen two weeks after framing his diploma. Hunger. Remarkable motivation accompanies this feeling. His attempts at finding employment prove futile. Those places that have an opening don’t really need a guy with a master’s in medieval lit. They can’t even spell it. Who cares if a truck driver understands European poetry from the twelfth century? Or what does it matter if the fella stocking the shelves at Safeway can give you the ninth letter in the Latin alphabet? When it comes to landing a job, most employers are notoriously pragmatic and unsophisticated. They are looking for people who have more than academic, gray wrinkles between their ears. They really couldn’t care less about how much a guy or gal knows. What they want is someone who can put to use the knowledge that’s been gained, whether the field is geology or accounting, engineering or plumbing, physics or barbering, journalism or welding.
That doesn’t just happen. People who are in great demand today are those who can see it in their imaginations---then pull it off. Those who can think---then follow through. Those who dress their daring dreams in practical denim workclothes. That takes a measure of gift, a pinch of skill, and a ton of discipline! Being practical requires that we traffic in reality, staying flexible at the intersections where stop-and-go lights flash. It also demands an understanding of others who are driving so as to avoid collisions.
Another mark of practicality is a constant awareness of time. The life of a practical person is fairly uncomplicated and usually methodical. The practical mind would rather meet a deadline and settle for limited objectives than accomplish the maximum and be late.
The Bible is full of men and women who dreamed dreams and saw visions. But they didn’t stop there. They had faith, they were people who saw the impossible, and yet their feet were planted on planet earth. Take Nehemiah. What a man! He had the task of rebuilding the stone wall around Jerusalem. He spent days thinking, praying, observing, dreaming, and planning. But was he ever practical! He organized a mob into work parties . . . he faced criticism realistically . . . he stayed at the task without putting out needless fires . . . he met deadlines . . . and he maintained the budget. It is the practical person, writes Ralph Waldo Emerson, who becomes “a vein in times of terror that commands the admiration of the wisest.” So true. Amazing thing about the practical person---he may not have the most fun or think the deepest thoughts, but he seldom goes hungry! Remember this---dreams are great and visions are fun. But in the final analysis, when the bills come due, they’ll be paid by manual labor. Labor . . . hard work forged in the furnace of practicality. (Charles R. Swindoll)
previously published
- Do everything you can, and expect God to do the rest.
- The Church is filled with willing people--some willing to work & others willing to let them.
- Plan your work--work your plan. (MOP—Diligence in Business)
Winning homes are filled with people who contribute professionally, who have a good work ethic, and who give their all to the success of the home they reside in. They feel responsible to shoulder their share of the load, the responsibilities, the jobs? and the ministries? in order to make the home run smoothly and bear fruit. Winning team members take initiative, they do things without being told to do them, and don’t only do the things they’re scheduled to do. They go over and above the call of duty when necessary. Winning team members work hard when it’s time to work. They put in the hours cheerfully, knowing that their Home is what they make it. They feel responsible for their Home, knowing that its success will be determined, in part, by how faithful they are, how conscientious they are, how prudent they are with their time, and how much attention and energy they devote to their work for Jesus. And they have the fruit to show for their faithfulness, strong work ethic, elbow grease, and dedication. (Training Winning Teams, Part 7: Work Ethic And Abiding In Your Calling)
make it personal
Thank You for the privilege of working for you, my sweet Jesus! I want to do my best for You, because I love You and it’s my heart’s desire to please You. I want to do the most I can for You and be all that you have created and destined for me to be. Keep me going and moving and doing for you, Jesus!
