Genesis 2:4-15 “… when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens … no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up … there was no one to work the ground … the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life … the LORD God had planted a garden … the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
God made the workplace, then the workman, then showed Adam how to work. Adam gladly accepted his work and fulfilled his purpose with satisfaction and intimacy with God.
Principle:One purpose of mankind is to work and take care of what God has set before him.
The purpose of work is to do what God has planned and do it His way. Work came before the fall. It is well-defined and meaningful. It is just right for you and serves His purposes perfectly. Some people complain “if only I were in full-time Christian service.” If you are gardening and God wants you there, you are in “full-time Christian service.”
Work produces satisfaction as we see something come from our efforts. It meets basic needs such as dignity, provision, security, purpose, freedom, etc. One danger is to make work the complete source of purpose and meaning in life. That leads to a performance-based life, and work-a-holism.
Eric Liddle in the movie, Chariots of Fire said “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel his pleasure.” The president of Navigators was a former advertising executive in Britain. When he understood that God had equipped and called him to a career of advertising and marketing, he applied this line from Chariots of Fire. He said, “God has made me good at advertising and marketing and when I do it well, I know that God is pleased.”
Hopefully you believe this about your work. Do it with dignity, excellence, diligence, and contentment knowing that God is in it.
Discussion:
1. What makes you think that work is only secular?
2. What makes you think that only Christian ministry is sacred?
3. What is spiritual about your work – your career?
