Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– George Macdonald
Working for God
You might not feel that you have a ministry but the truth is, we all do! Even a secular job is a special calling from God, even if it doesn’t feel like it. The Apostle Paul reminds us that “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” (Col 3:23-24). No 401k could ever compare with that!
He deserves our Best
Don’t think that anyone’s getting away with anything. The Bible teaches “the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality” (Col 3:25). What is hidden will be made known to all, eventually and “whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops” (Luke 12:3). Just do whatever it is you do, but do so with the knowledge “that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free” (Eph 6:8).
Caught in the Storm
When the disciples were once caught in the middle of the sea in the pitch black of night, there arose a fierce storm that threatened to sink them, so they panicked and woke Jesus up, telling Him, “Lord, don’t you care that we are perish?” (Mark 4:38). What a question to ask Jesus! Jesus cared enough to die for them, but only later would they realize that. Would God allow the ship to sink while Jesus was sleeping! Impossible! Their very best rowing was useless right about now…and don’t miss the fact that Jesus sent these men into the storm. Sometimes it is God’s will to bring us into a storm in order that we might seek Him; not from a fear of drowning, but to cry out to Him to calm the storm.
Giving it your All
We’ve already read where Paul says “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Col 3:23) but wise King Solomon wrote much the same thing, and again using a term of strength by writing “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going” (Eccl 9:10). The emphasis in both these verses is that we must make a concerted effort. Give it your very best, not just enough to get by.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that God wants our very best work because it is for His glory and that is the reason that we were created. If we live lives of hard work, loving relationships, and a life that pleases God, then you are giving Him your best. We don’t do them to be saved; we do them because we are saved.
