Read Ecclesiastes 2:17. John 6:27. 1 Corinthians 15:58
As a young man fresh out of school I landed a job in an insurance company in the city. That meant travelling to the city on a train each morning. After only about 2 weeks of travelling to and from work I began to see the futility of such a life. For the next 40-50 years I would be waking up early, getting on a train, going to work, doing my work, catching a train home, spending a bit of time at home and then doing it all again tomorrow. Even though I loved my job, I could see my life turning into a weekend existence. As a non-believer the thought of such a cold existence made me shudder. It seemed so totally futile.
I suspect that many people are stuck in a similar rut of just existing. They go to work. They come home. They do it all again tomorrow. They live for the weekend, for that party or for the annual holiday. Most of the year is a pointless, endless treadmill existence that really has no meaning or value except to gain money to buy a few things to make life that little bit more bearable.
Jesus turns the whole situation upside down. As the crowds that feasted on the loaves and fishes chased Jesus around the lake He told them not to work for food that spoils but to labour for food that endures to eternal life. Earning money to buy food and “things” is not sinful but has little eternal value. The food that endures to eternal life is to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and to worship Him.
What Jesus was saying is that our life is not to centre around the pursuit of life’s necessities such as food but rather should be centred around Him. Paul concurs with this in 1 Corinthians 15:58. Having just given a detailed proof for the resurrection of Jesus, he now tells the believers to stand firm in their faith. They should not let anything move them from Christ Jesus because their labour in the Lord is never in vain.
Here is the key the turns a treadmill existence into a meaningful life. When we centre our life around Christ and serve Him our daily work becomes a service to God. As we work with all of our heart and soul, working as though we are serving God not man, we bring glory to God. Work becomes an opportunity to serve the Lord and to bless others. It also becomes a mission field in which we can make disciples for Jesus’ sake. Hard work, discipline, honesty and integrity never go unnoticed.
Everything changes when we serve the Lord at work. Our income becomes a means to serve the Lord. Tithing becomes a fragrant offering acceptable to the Lord, not a heart wrenching exercise. The annual holidays even take on a whole new air of importance. Many a believer has spent their annual leave on mission, some local and some international.
Your work and your daily grind takes on a whole new dimension of significance when you serve God wholeheartedly.
Prayer:
Write down at least one prayer point in each category based on the following verse.
Therefore my brothers stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labour in the Lord is never in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray for the work of Creation Research as they continue to teach and educate people about the truthfulness of creation. Pray that God would continue to open doors for them both in Australia and oversees. Pray that they would see many come to faith in Christ through their work.
¥ Pray that God would continue to bless the work of PIM - Presbyterian Inland Mission. Pray that each padre would be well equipped and resourced and that they would have open doors to share their faith in outback towns and stations.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
After Xavier’s work accident, he has told the minister of the church that he’s not going to waste his life just working. He’s going to enjoy every minute of it. He then tells you that he won’t be at church for 2 Sondays each month because of this.
1. How do you counsel Xavier?
2. What is good/bad about Xavier’s view of life?
3. What is good/bad about Xavier’s view of work?
No comments:
Post a Comment