1 Chronicles 28:20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work.”
Do you know God has work for you to do? Whether the “paid” kind of work or voluntary, if you’re still breathing, you have not yet completed your assignments. Who knows but that your very best accomplishment lies ahead?
Covid complications notwithstanding, I’m afraid our country is forgetting the value of work. Help Wanted, Position Openings, and Apply Now signs have reproduced in the landscape more than Sheetz, Wawas and Starbucks combined. And it’s painful to hear how the shortage of workers has stretched those who do have jobs almost beyond capability.
Work offers countless benefits. The most obvious, of course, arrives with the paycheck. The first “paycheck” job my kids had growing up entailed working on a tomato farm. They picked tomatoes, packed watermelons and basically did whatever their boss assigned. The work was hot, hard and dirty. But they were quite happy when pay day came.
Although making money provided them the motivation for work, the tomato job offered so much more than cash. It taught them the value of diligence, discipline and finding satisfaction through productivity. Life lessons that have carried them through their adult careers. But not just careers.
Whether high paying or non-paying, work shapes us into responsible human beings. People others can depend upon. People who can be trusted to persevere when faced with difficulty. And people who walk in faithfulness. So although our work does not define us, it aids us in becoming who God intends us to be.
When Solomon became king of Israel, David commissioned him to build the Temple. Since God took worship seriously, the task was formidable. It had to be built precisely in every aspect, from how long and wide the dimensions to how much gold and silver to use in its furnishings. After all the instructions, David exhorted Solomon to be strong and courageous, and do the work.
I believe the world would be in better shape if we took the same counsel. Cultivate a strong work ethic. Whether we’re called to serve meals at a rescue mission, clean the house or run a business, may we give God glory. Give him glory as we simply do the work.