As we celebrate Labor Day this weekend, many may be in less than a joyful mood due to financial worries. For those looking for work, the long weekend may be no different from other days, and just a painful reminder that they are unemployed. Many are working to make ends meet at a job that does not meet their expectations or qualifications. Others find that their job responsibilities have grown because fewer people are hired, but their pay stays the same or even decreases. Even worse, it often seems that our employers, coworkers or clients don’t notice our hard work or appreciate the good job we do.
But God always notices! He knows our hearts (Psalm 139:23), and He can tell whether we’re working in joyful service because of how He has blessed us beyond measure, or whether we’re going through the motions grudgingly, doing the minimum we need to do to get by.
By forgiving our sin debt, by giving His only begotten Son to die for our sins, and by giving eternal life to all those who repent and believe that Jesus rose from the dead (John 3:16), God has blessed us far beyond what we could ever imagine. And yet, He delights in heaping blessings on us even beyond that, and in great abundance (John 10:10; Luke 12:32; James 1:17). This gives us reason to find joy in all circumstances and to give thanks for everything (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), even if our sin nature feels we have reason to complain rather than to be thankful.
For every task we do at work or at home, no matter how menial or insignificant it seems, there is a reason to find joy in it and give thanks for it. If we are washing our dirty dishes, we can be thankful for the good meal we ate, the family we shared it with, and for running water. If we’re losing patience because of customers’ endless complaints, we can be thankful that there are customers so that we have a job, and we can rejoice in the opportunity to bring them satisfaction and peace rather than anger (Matthew 5:9). In whatever situation we find ourselves, we can thank God by putting our whole heart, soul and might into glorifying Him, making each moment of our life a living prayer to Him. He will always remember and reward us for our service and worship even when no one else notices.
Col. 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.… 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
We are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20), and Christians should give a good testimony at work and wherever a job needs to be done because we are willing to go the extra mile and with the right attitude.
Even when we assemble for worship in God’s house, no good deed is too trivial to escape His attention! A kind word or smile for someone who is hurting may be exactly what God intended to encourage that person to be faithful to His will (Hebrews 10:23-25). When was the last time we gave thanks to the person who showed up early Sunday morning to turn the air conditioning on, or to the person who made sure there was toilet paper in the restroom? Do we even know who these people are? But God knows and keeps track of their faithful service to His children and to all who come to hear His Word.
Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Our labor is not in vain! Employers, coworkers, and customers, and even family, friends, and Christians, may not always show their appreciation, but God faithfully keeps track of all we do to His glory and will reward us in due time, if not in this world, then in Heaven where we can enjoy the benefits forever!
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Love in Christ, and may you have a blessed Labor Day weekend!
Laurie Collett
15 comments:
In a world where those who do the daily work ire ignored in favor of some sports figure or celebrity, it is nice to know that even supplying a cup of cold water will not be ignored.
Amen! Thanks as always for the Biblically based comment. The smallest of kindnesses to another is as if we do it unto Jesus Himself.
I love the Hebrews 10 verse. So many don't recognize the blessings we give to them. Paul recognized it. We can always follow his example when the blessing is bestowed on us.
Thanks, Pamela, that is so true! A simple "thank you!" or "Good job!" means so much to the one who blessed us. And it blesses us even more because it provides us with the opportunity to share the blessing with the one who gave to us. It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Yes, we should remember, that thousands of people on the whole world work for the Lord - on different ways, but He will remember about them in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Yes, Zim, thanks for your comment. It is a blessing when we do hear what people around the world are doing for the Lord, but even when we don't know about it, He sees and will reward their work.
I read Your last comment on my blog. I guess You read my entry from 1st September. Blog of Kinga is only in Polish - www.grzybypodeszczu.blog.onet.pl - if You want to read that, You must copy text from her blog to translator. Our discussion was about people, who didn't hear the Gospel, but also about people from non-Evangelical churches and denominations. She was really interested in the topic of Gospel. I think she will be pleased, if You would visit her blog and write to her.
But I warn, that Polish language is very, very difficult :)
This post spoke to me on so many levels. One time my husband told me that when I performed my seemingly insignificant household tasks, I was, in a way, worshiping the Lord and that He noticed my work. I had to admit, it sure made me feel better about cooking a meal, doing the laundry, or whatever.
On the other hand, your post is a reproof for me when I grudingly do a task for someone else... I have to admit, sometimes it feels like 'one more thing to do' on my list. I hope I can remember next time to think of the immeasurable gift God has bestowed upon me and go about completeing these tasks with more cheer and love in my heart--working as to God and not as to man.
Hi Zim, thanks for letting me know! I can click on a button in your blog that translates from Polish to English, so I thought it translated from English to Polish also. If Kinga can read English or have it translated, I would be happy to write her, but if not, I don't speak Polish and I wouldn't want to risk have something translated incorrectly that might offend or confuse her. Thanks as always for your participation, and God bless you!
Hi Joy, thanks so much for visiting and for sharing your experience! It is a blessing to hear that this post spoke to you. It is truly awesome to think that the Creator of the universe notices and cares about what we do, and that He will reward us in due time for whatever we did for one of His children, or to further His Kingdom, provided we did it with the right motive. Blessings to you, Laurie
I love this verse. Knowing that our labor is never in vain and that the Word of God never comes back void is what keeps me going!
Welcome, Shanda! Thanks so much for your comment and for following. What a blessing that in these last days God has given us the Internet so that we can share His Word with souls around the globe, and it is an even greater blessing to know that His Word will never return empty. May God bless you and your ministry!
What a great post for Labor Day! I always think of the scripture in Matt 9:37 'He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few.' - for Labor Day. I don't know why, I just do. It reminds me that I have been called out - into the Lord's fields for His prepared harvest.
You are right, we are called to be salt and light everywhere He sends us - even in the work place. It is a challenge!
Thank you for finding my place and introducing yourself to me through that great testimony.
Blessings
Patrina <")>><
Thanks, Patrina, for your comment! In John 4, Jesus told His disciples that the fields were ready for harvest right after He spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well. As soon as she realized that He was the Messiah, she rushed back to town to tell everyone, even though they had snubbed her. And the result was (v. 39): "And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman." So we are all called to work for the harvest, no matter how long we have been saved or what circumstances He has placed us in. Thanks again, Patrina, for being such a blessing! I'm glad He directed me to your blog!
Hi Laurie! I followed your blog! Thanks for following my blog. Hope you'll be blessed by it! :D
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