Our men's prayer group that meets for breakfast two Saturdays a month have been studying a book by R. Kent Hughes titled "Disciplines of a Godly Man" and it has been a wonderful encouragement for me. The chapter we're discussing for March is on the "Discipline of Work" and after reading and re-reading it I have realized how important our work is to God.
There are three passages in the Bible that we all need to read and ponder each day:
1 Cor. 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Col. 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through Him.
Col. 3: 23,24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you
know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are
serving.
If we were to apply these each and everyday what a difference God, through us might make.
Hughes breaks down the Discipline of Work in four areas:
1 . Energy You cannot be lazy and be a godly employee or employer. Are we working hard for God or for self?
2. Enthusiasm I liked the quote here "We can get plenty of first violinists. But to get someone who will play second violin with enthusiasm - that is a problem". We should be working with enthusiasm because of our main audience - God.
3. Wholeheartedness Are we all action only when the boss is around?
4. Excellence We ought to be the best workers wherever we are. We ought to have the best attitude, the best integrity, and be the most dependable.
I guess the questions we need to ask ourselves each day are:
Do I do my work for the glory of God?
Do I honestly work hard?
Do I work with enthusiasm?
Do I work wholeheartedly?
Do I do excellent work?
Who is my audience?
Thanks to Kent Hughes and my brothers in Christ from Greenville Grace Brethren in Greenville, Ohio.
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