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Proverbs 10:16 – Work and the Christian

Work is the mark of a servant of God. All that we do is done to bring glory to God. This means whatever the job at hand, it is done the best we can with all our strength and all our heart. Why? Why does it matter to God if we work hard at tidying our room, peeling potatoes, changing nappies? How can these jobs possibly bring glory to Him? Because God works in us, by us, with us, through us. We work in and through Him. Our work, therefore, is His work. Everything we do, no matter how small, is part of the big picture. So, what’s the big picture? Building the kingdom of God, working to make God’s will done on earth as it is in heaven, bringing the earth back to what it was before the Fall. Are we going to achieve this big picture? Not in our lifetime. And not in the lifespan of this earth. But don’t think for a minute that when the end of time comes all that you have done to God’s glory here on earth has been for nothing. In addition to the influence you have had on other people and the growth in Godliness that has taken place in yourself, God promises in Revelation 14:13 “‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labour, for their deeds will follow them.’” This means that everything that you have done in your life to God’s glory will become part of the new heavens and the new earth. This is the big picture.

So, going back to Proverbs, the reward of the righteous, their wages for loving and serving God is eternal life in heaven. Just remember, though, you’ve not really earned this, Christ has earned it for you and given you the faith and ability to claim this reward. But the wicked will only receive eternal death for the sin he has worked hard at doing his whole life.

Questions

  1. How should we do the jobs in our life?
  2. Why does God care how we work?
  3. What will be the result of the work we do to the glory of God?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray that we would work hard for the glory of our King.
  2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
  3. Pray for family matters.