LABOR DAY

Labor Day is a holiday celebrated in America the first Monday in September. It is unclear who first conceived of this day but for over 100 years it has served as a tribute and dedication to the social and economic achievements of American workers. Regardless of what country we live in, work is an important facet of our everyday lives.

As I reflect on work in Scripture, here are some thoughts to consider:

I. Our work comes from God.

1. He is the work originator—Gen.2:2—By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work.

2. He has a universal work plan—John 4:34—Jesus told them, “My food is doing the will of the One Who sent Me and completing His work.” Jesus worked the plan God had for Him. We ought to do the same.

3. We need to understand what He would have us do—Ephesians 5:13,17b—Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise . . . understand what the Lord’s will is. Our work should fit God’s plan. Our plan should fit God’s work. Four principles will help us in determining and following God’s will:

· Worship leads to direction—Acts 13:2. The key to finding His will is found in worshiping Him. Plenty of people are happy to tell you what they think you should or should not do. Never settle for opinions that come minus prayerful seeking and humble worship. When God sets you apart or calls you to a work, whether it be sweeping floors or leading a corporation, don’t second guess Him, and don’t sell Him short, get after it. God can take what we think is mundane and make it marvelous.

· Empowerment comes through Christ—Philippians 4:13

· Beware of substituting activity for abiding. Watchman Nee once wrote, “To have God do his own work through us, even once, is better than a lifetime of human striving.” Someone once said, “Activity itself proves nothing: the ant is praised, the mosquito swatted.” Andrew Murray noted, “Do not confound work and fruit. There may be a good deal of work for Christ that is not the fruit of the heavenly Vine.”

· Our will is subordinate to God’s will. Many people are spiritually unproductive because they refuse what God would have them do to pursue what they would rather do.

II. Our work should be God-pleasing.

1. It should be honorable—Tit.3:1—Remind believers to submit themselves to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready to do any honorable kind of work.

2. We should be wholehearted—Col. 3:23,24—Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people. You know that it is from the Lord that you will receive the inheritance as a reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you are serving!

“Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence.”—Unknown

3. He will test what we have done—1 Co. 3:13-15—The workmanship of each person will become evident, because the day will show what it is. For it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what a person has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If his work is burned up, he will suffer loss. However, he himself will be saved, but it will be like going through fire.

May I ask you a question? Are you writing in the sand? Will you work be washed away by the tide because it is from the flesh? Or are you writing on the Rock? Will your work be a testimony to the One Who loves you and called you according to His purpose? Something to think about . . . in reveration!