Work

But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? James 2:20

Most people hate to work. But “work” is not the same as having a “job.” Work releases potential while all a job does is to provide a salary. God wants you to be a good worker, not just a good job keeper. There are three common fallacies among the lazy about work:
Fallacy #1: Rest is better than work. We are a rest-oriented society. We somehow believe that holidays, vacations and long weekends are better than work days. When God created the world, He worked six days and rested only one day. Yet, most people would very much rather work one day and rest for six! Work is the energy that keeps you alive. It is the stuff that gives life meaning.
Fallacy #2: Retirement is the ultimate goal of work. But the truth is that you were not designed to retire. You came out of God and to date, God hasn’t retired. He has been working ever since He spoke the invisible into the visible. Retirement is not part of His plan for your life.
Fallacy #3: You can get something for nothing. That is why the whole world is fascinated with gambling and lotteries. Daily numbers are announced all the time on television, radio and newspapers. We are captivated by get-rich-quick schemes. And the result is that we miss the blessings of work. We miss God’s journey for us to find a satisfying, meaningful existence. Not only does God love to work, God created man to work. Work was given to Adam even before sin entered the world. As such, work is not an evil thing. It is not a curse or a punishment for sin.

There are five blessings work brings:
(1) Work provides for your daily needs. “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody” (1 Thess. 4:11-12, NIV).
(2) Work produces gratification. People that excel in life don’t just work for money, they rejoice in achievement more than the amount of the salary.
(3) Work builds self-esteem. When you have something to do, your ability to feel good about yourself changes overnight. Any psychologist would tell you that the easiest way to cure depression is to get up and work.
(4) Work brings promotion in life. Companies always give those who are busy more to do because they know the busy people are willing to work. If you want to be promoted, then start becoming productive at your workplace.
5) Work blesses others. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). As you work, you will find opportunities to help other people.