Devotional--Work, Part I

We're going to spend some time focusing on what the Bible has to say about work.  At one point or another, we all work.  Some of you work in businesses, some work at home, some work for small, demanding children at home!  What does the Bible have to say about this?  (I'm glad you asked!)

1 Corinthians 12:27-31

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

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  I think the first thing to say about our work is that it is all holy.  Each of you has been given certain gifts, and the gifts you have are unique to you.  No one else has your same combination of gifts, and you are then called to use these gifts for the glory of God.  Some people are given the gifts of pastors--so they should be pastors.  Others are not given these gifts, and it's not because they aren't as holy, but rather because our big, complicated world needs people with different abilities.  The gifts of teachers, the gifts of nurses and engineers and students and mothers and accountants and fathers and servers and artists are all equally valuable, and each one is needed in this world, and God equips and calls different people to each.  

  We glorify God when we use our gifts, whatever they may be, to the best of our abilities.  It's not the type of gift that matters--it's the way in which we respond with gratitude to God, the way we use our gifts, that matters.  When you do work, whether it's changing a diaper or balancing a corporation's books, it's an offering.  Are you looking for a way to make your work holy?  Let us simply open our eyes and recognize that it already is--the Holy Spirit is at work around you, within you, and may we offer our work to God, doing it to the best of our ability for the glory of God, and in so doing we recognize that all our work is holy work because it is God who has given us our gifts and the opportunity to work.

Blessings