The Importance of Work: Part 1

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." -Genesis 2:15 NIV

"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money." -Matthew 25:14-18

    God calls us to work. Not only does He call us to it, but He also expects it of us. The church (and even society itself) has recently re-discovered the virtues of rest in our busy modern world. After all, it was God Himself who instituted periods of rest and exemplified it during the week of Creation. Yet, as vitally important as rest is, there is also an implicit need for work in our lives. I will even venture to say that the need for rest is as equally important as our need to work. By work I mean those tasks which a loving God has graciously assigned to each of His children as our mission here on Earth. And as different and unique as God created each of us, likewise our work is uniquely handcrafted with us in mind. For some the work might involve adopting or fostering abandoned or neglected children, for others it may involve serving overseas in a missionary capacity, and yet others may be simply be called to exhibit the attributes of a good and gracious God to those around them whether at work or play. Yet we can all be sure of one thing: no vessel in God's house is without purpose! Each one of us have been given a specific role and duty to perform which if we humbly submit to will bring lasting fulfillment to our lives, destroy the enemy's plans, and further establish God's Kingdom on Earth. For as much as some of us may wish for Heaven, it is God's infinite desire to use us to bring Heaven down to Earth!

Big responsibility, greater privilege. 

    A few months ago, I was prompted to read the parable of The Talents found in Matthew 25. It was not an unfamiliar passage as I had heard multiple sermons preached on it. However, in reading it again I noticed the entire parable was centered on this issue of work. God chooses to involve us in the business of Heaven by giving us a specific role. Under perfect conditions in the garden, God gave Adam a job. Adam was commanded to name the animals, keep, and protect Eden. The man was not there to look pretty nor enjoy a wellness retreat. He had a role to accomplish and a pretty important one at that. Think for a moment about the magnitude of responsibility laid on Adam's shoulders-- to care and protect for this magnificent garden that God had created. Not only was this a big responsibility but it was also a huge sign of respect and honor that God bestowed on Adam. God must have thought a lot of Adam to entrust him with something so near to His heart. So it is with us. God, fully knowing our weaknesses and faults, chooses to entrust us with His wealth--those things which are important to Him. Ultimately we do not work for God but rather we work with God. We work with Him to fulfill His plans on Earth or as the apostle Paul writes, "We are co-workers in God's service..." (1 Cor 3:9). That's an awesome privilege and one that we should never take lightly. 

Too much of a good thing?

    Growing up I absolutely loved eating carrots. Something that my mother was quite proud of. That is until the day she took me for a simple check-up and my pediatrician asked her if I had been eating too many carrots because he noticed my skin looked awfully orange. My mom realized that even healthy things can become unhealthy if not properly balanced. The same is true of rest. Too much of it can lead to slothfulness and cause us to miss out on God's plan and purpose for our lives! It was a lesson the slothful servant, in the Parable of the Talents, learned the hard way. Before his master left on the journey, he delivered talents to three of his servants. To the first he gave 5, the next 2, and to the last he gave 1. While their master was away the first two servants put their master's money to work but the third servant had a different idea. Afraid of what might happen should he take a risk with the talents given to him, the servant thought it best to hide the money and rest instead. Yet when his master returned and saw the servant had done nothing to multiply the talent the master rebuked him and declared him a "wicked, lazy servant" (vs 26). And as much as none of us want to ever hear these words, I want to highlight some points from this parable. 

Key points...

    First it is important to note that the master gave all his servants talents. God excludes none of his children from service. Each of us have a role to play. Second we must note that the amount of talents the servants received was directly correlated to the servant's abilities. The talents, abilities, and gifts that God gives us are in proportion to our calling and maturity in Him. We must never look with envy at another Christian wondering why they seem to be more talented or gifted than us. God does not play favorites (Acts 10:34). If someone seems to have more gifts/talents than you, know that your Heavenly Father deemed it necessary to give those talents for their specific calling. Also realize that the more God gives an individual, the more He will require of them (Luke 12:48). Anointing and gifts come at a price. Next we see that when we work with the talents or gifts that God gives us, we create room for God to multiply them. Talents that are put to work will always multiply. In God's Heavenly economy whatever we sow, we will reap. Notice that when the master returned, he did not simply collect what he had given his servants, but double. Work yields returns. Finally when God gives us work to do, He expects us to do it. God isn't necessarily checking over our shoulder every 5 minutes to see if we're doing what He's called us to do. However when He does come, He expects to find us working and collect the fruits of our labor!

Unfortunately, not all God's servants decide to work. And that also comes at a price. Next week we will speak on the high price of neglect, the dangers associated with it, and how we can avoid it. Stay tuned. 

Food for thought...

Precious reader, more than anything I may ever write on this blog, I want you to know how much God really loves you. He loves you so much that He gave up what was dearest to Him to spend the rest of eternity with you. God paid a very high price to have you. We must never forget that. So whether He asks us for our time, resources, or puts us to work let us remember that everything we do for Him pales in comparison to the work done at Calvary. The blood shed, the sacrifice paid, and the price of redemption complete, all demonstrate the Father's love for us. I believe that every time the Father looks at us, He remembers the cross and with a smile on His face, thinks to Himself "it was all worth it!". Given the chance, God would pay that price again and again because you are worth it to Him!