Our jobs take up the most time of any of our daily activities, though sleeping might be a close second in the lives of most. After those two activities have been completed, over two-thirds of each day is gone! With that much time being accounted for, we should examine our jobs through the eyes of the Lord. First, let’s see other professions in the Bible.
God smiled upon the sacrifice of Abel (Genesis 4:4), who was a shepherd, but did not smile upon the sacrifice of Cain, who was a farmer. Before becoming the King of Israel, David was a shepherd and a harpist. Paul was a Pharisee, but earned his living as a tentmaker. Many of the disciples were fishermen. Luke was a doctor and Matthew was a tax collector. Boaz had a large farm, employing many farmhands.
While these are just a few of the professions mentioned in the Bible, it made me think of my profession and the professions of others in this modern day and age. The United States has become a nation where the typical man doesn’t earn his living by the sweat of his brow, or by the work of his hands. We have outsourced most of our labor to other countries, so while most of the profits return to our country, the products are not made here and the labor is not even done by us. Instead of working, we make phone calls and write emails. Each day, I earn a living with my hands and from the sweat of my brow, but I teach people how to play a game. In the grand scheme of things, I wonder how that fits into God’s idea of an honest living.
Most importantly, our jobs must not violate God’s commandments.
28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
Ephesians 4:28
Notice in the above verse that the reason for working isn’t to feed ourselves. Instead, it is so we can help others in need. The word for “labor” is kopiao (κοπιάω), which means “getting tired in toil.” We are to get tired in the work, but not to get tired of the work. We should honor God in the way we handle the professions He has placed us into. We shouldn’t be watching the clock, waiting to go home. When compared to a non-Christian employee, shouldn’t a Christian be exemplary in the eyes of the boss? Unfortunately, that can be the exception, rather than the rule. We can steal the time from our bosses just as easily as we can steal pencils, paper and tools. Diligence is the key. Don’t ever forget that co-workers can see God in your life when you exhibit godly behavior. Instead, we are quicker to witness with our words than with our actions. Those words mean so much more when your actions are just as truthful!
Make a new commitment to honoring God in your work! Toil for Him, knowing that He placed you specifically into that role. If God wants you somewhere else, He certainly has the ability to open that door for you. Honor Him, and that includes not working on the Sabbath! Instead of God bless America, how about America bless God?
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