Serve The Lord (But Not Just In Church)

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) Did you know there is not such a thing as menial work? All should and can be done as an act of worship to the Lord. Work is God’s plan for our life – there is always work to do for our selves or for others. Even God, although He has no need to buy anything, is constantly at work “to will and to do His good pleasure” (Phil.2:13). He is working on us from the inside-out – transforming our desires, will and new nature to be like His. A man’s work shows his character and our merciful God is watching and will reward Him accordingly. Therefore we should have the mindset of working with excellence, no matter how small or dirty the task. The end result is really what counts anyway. Can we be glad and willing to say, “I did that job to the best of my ability.” Does every job and task we accomplish glorify the God Who made us and gave us the intelligence, strength and ability to excellently accomplish whatever is put before us? All we have to be concerned with is if we did our best – God knows. We must view ourselves as God’s servants, not to just serve at and for the church, but to “lay down our lives” to serve others; and in so doing we are serving Christ. He is our example (Matt.20:28). He said He came not to be served but to serve, so we must have that same attitude, that same mind that was in Christ Jesus. Like in real-estate they say the most important thing is “location, location, location.” So in getting and keeping a job the most important thing is, “attitude, attitude, attitude.” If we look on our job with a critical, condescending, negative and unpleasant attitude, we will not only be miserable but everyone around us will also; and more than likely we won’t keep our job long. Your attitude can not only affect the quality of your work but will honor or dishonor God. If you have a negative view of your legal and honest job, that is a misguided view. God has given you a job and health to work, so as to provide for yourself and others for which you are responsible. Some people think of labor as a big negative in their life (like a sickness). It is often a divine and blessed remedy for want and sickness. In Charles Stanley’s devotional book, Early Light, he shares about a job experience he had while going to college. “I worked in a textile mill, which was unbearably hot and a terrible place to work. I disliked being there but realized that I had to adjust my attitude, so I told God, 'I’m going to do this as if You’re my boss.' That changed everything. I no longer minded the heat and was able to witness to six people at a time. My boss didn’t like my witnessing, but he hired me back the following year anyway. Had my attitude been negative, nobody would have listened to me, and I would have been out of a job.” James McDonald says, “The power to work is much more of a divine gift than a great legacy. No amount of wealth sets one free from the obligation to work – in a world the God of which is ever working. He who works not has not yet discovered what God made him for, and is a false note in the orchestra of the universe. The possession of wealth is as it were prepayment, and involves an obligation of honor to the doing of correspondent work. He who does not know what to do has never seriously asked himself what he ought to do.” Your "work" may be responsibilities for which you do not get money - at church, community or at home. If your attitude in doing this voluntary work is for accolades or attention, your attitude is wrong. Serving for pay or volunteer must all be done as unto the Lord and out of love or it is not credited to your heavenly account as your being “a good and faithful servant.” If your view of working is completely self seeking, how much money can I make, what prestigious position can I hold, who can I impress, and etc., you need to adjust your view and your attitude!
Little Is Much When God Is In It Kittie J. Suffield In the harvest field now ripened there’s a work for all to do. Hark the voice of God is calling, to the harvest calling you. Does the place you’re called to labor seem so small and little known? It is great if God is in it, and He’ll not forget His own. Are you laid aside from service, body worn from toil and care? You can still be in the battle in the sacred place of prayer. When the conflict here is ended and our race on earth is run, He will say, if we are faithful, “Welcome home, my child – well done.” Chorus: Little is much, when God is in it! Labor not for wealth or fame; There’s a crown – and you can win it, if you’ll go in Jesus’ name.