Work is a blessing in that it gives us an opportunity to turn it into a means of honouring God. When we were created, we were created by God with the intention of making us creatures made for good work that would bless others and, in the process, bring God pleasure and glory.
Work was never meant to be a burden. When done excellently, with the right heart and with the motive of bringing value to others, we will consequently bring God the highest praise in the workplace no matter what vocation you might be in.
Here are five ways that we can honour God with our work.
1. Depend on God to Empower You at Work
While we were made to work, we were never meant to be our own fuel source. God’s Spirit gives us both meaningful work and the ability to fulfill that work. It’s God who ultimately fulfils work for us. Psalms 127:1 tells us, “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
2. Use Your Earnings to Help the Needy
No matter how small you think your salary may be, God can and will use what little you have to benefit not just you but the people around you as well. But are you willing to let Him? Ephesians 4:28 says, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labour, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”
3. Improve Your Skills and Competencies
Whatever skills God has given you, there is always room to improve them and use them to help more people. Proverbs 22:29 says, “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”
4. Focus, Focus, Focus
We are all given a task, a responsibility, an area of expertise. Focus is what directs all energy into that one thing that we are to do in our workplace. Proverbs 28:19 says, “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.”
We are called to work our land and focus on it so we can maximise all efforts put in.
5. Walk in Integrity
All hard work will be in vain if we do it in a way that conflicts with God’s ways and statutes. Integrity of character matters more than earthly competence. Proverbs 11:1 says, “A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.”
6. Be a hard worker
Jesus said in john 5:17b “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” It is hard to accomplish great success without working very hard. Jesus was one of the hardest workers in his time. We too must emulate his mentality and work harder than anyone around us. Having a great work ethic glorifies God, makes us successful and attracts people to the God in us.
