HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 361
page A359
• MAT T H E W 2 5 :3 5 -4 0 | “For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a
drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me
clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me.’ . . . Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord,
when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?
Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing?’ . . . And the King
will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and
sisters, you were doing it to me!’ ”
Whatever work you do, do it to honor God and advance the values of God’s Kingdom.
• MAT T H E W 5 :1 6 | “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that
everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Do your work in a way that will cause other people to see the character traits of God in
you.
• R O MA NS 1 2 :8 | If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give
generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if
you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Do work in which you can use your gifts and abilities.
• A C T S 2 0 :2 4 | But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work
assigned me by the Lord Jesus.
What if my work has nothing to do with anything “Christian”—how can God be
glorified in my work?
• G E NE SI S 2 :2 , 1 5 | God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. . . .
The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.
Work is anchored in God’s very character. Part of being made in God’s image is sharing in
the industrious and creative aspects of his nature. Gardening was the very first job given
to humans. Christians are needed in all kinds of vocations. Whatever your job, believe that
God has placed you there for a reason, and then do your work well as a service to him and
as a way to serve others.
• 2 T H E S S A L O NI A NS 3 :8 | We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to
any of you.
Christians are commanded to work hard at whatever they do.
• C O L O SS I A NS 3 :2 3 | Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for
the Lord.
The way you approach work is evidence of the depth of your relationship with Jesus.
Does God want me to be successful in the work I do?
• PR O VE R B S 3 1 :1 6 | She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants
a vineyard.
• A C T S 1 8 :2 -3 | A Jew named Aquila . . . had recently arrived from Italy with his wife,
Priscilla. . . . Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.
• E PH E SI A NS 6 :6 -7 | Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you.
As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though
you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
God endorses hard work, ingenuity, and success. Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla were Christian
leaders in ministry and in business. The quality of your work and your enthusiasm for it
reveal the nature of your commitment to Christ. Hard work done with excellence and integrity honors God and may bring material resources that can be used for God’s glory.
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You don’t need to accomplish earthshaking tasks in order to have your work be meaningful. Your life has meaning when you do the work that God has given you to do. Whether
you are changing diapers, running a company, cleaning houses, or pastoring a church,
your work has meaning because you are doing it for God and sharing with everyone in
your circle of influence.
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• PSA L M 4 0 :8 | “I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on
my heart.”