To Work

The first ten weeks of my class out at the prison were spent on different ways to win at home. Last week we started talking about work. Mr. Lewis made a great introduction by starting with the different drives and motivations for work.

The "lowest" form of motivation is working simply because we have to. Scripturally, 2 Thessalonians 3:10 states, "For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either." Working is necessary in order to live. 

The next motivation was supporting your family. 1 Timothy 5:8 "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." We should work in order to care for our own.

These two levels of motivation are not wrong, just not the highest motivation we can get. They are "paycheck driven." The next drive for work is "passion."

Next up the ladder was working to be able to afford a desired standard of living. Ecclesiastes 5:19 "Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God." Working can bring us reward.

Ecclesiastes 2:24 "There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God." Accomplishing something meaningful to you is another reason to work. 

Having a passion for what you do will motivate you to continue doing it. Philanthropy is another drive to work.

Continuing up the ladder, the next motivation is serving others with your work. 1 Peter 4:10 "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as goodstewards of the manifold grace of God." We have a responsibility to use the gifts God has given us to serve others.

The desire to help others with our funds is another motivation to work. Ephesians 4:28 "He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need." 

Giving to those less fortunate than ourselves is a good motivation to work. The final drive we discussed in class, though is higher still. That of "purpose."

Advancing the kingdom of God on earth through our funds is another reason to work. Proverbs 3:9 "Honor the Lord from your wealth; And from the first of all your produce;" He should be first in our giving.

Finally, glorifying God and spiritually impacting people is the highest form of motivation that we discussed. Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."

Working for the Lord and rather than men should be the main reason to work. We discussed in class that the more of these motivations you have for your work, the more satisfied you will be with it. These final two motivations were discussed again in last night's session in contrast to how the world views work.

The goal for most workers is to get to retirement. By having this view, though, we miss out on all that the Lord would have for us in the here and now. The perspective that we have on work will greatly affect our attitude and actions every day at work. As Christians especially we ought to look at our job more as vocation. Vocation comes from the Latin vocare which literally means "to call." We are called by God, (Who, by the way, is seen working starting in Genesis 1:1 and continuing throughout the Scripture) to work with Him and for Him. So I hope that I can realize Who my work is for and labor accordingly. I pray that we could all worship Him through our work, whether we be CEOs or janitors. We must remember that all work for God has eternal repercussions and remember that "Whatever [we] do" needs to be "for the Lord rather than for men."