A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
Search Daily Encouragement
(Click refresh or reload for current message)
Monday, September 2, 2024
"Work: A Blessing Or A Curse?"
Message summary: Daily work done in obedience to God's command takes on eternal value while it also builds character and provides a good role model for others to follow. Now that is valuable multi-tasking!
Podcast not prepared for this message.
“Six
days you shall
labor and do
all your work”
(Exodus 20:9).
“Whatever you
do, work at it
wholeheartedly
as though you
were doing it
for the Lord
and not merely
for people”
(Colossians
3:23).
It's been
three weeks
since I had
surgery and I
am slowly
recovering and
regaining my
strength. The
last several
years we have
slowed down a
bit in regard
to our
chaplaincy
work but still
serve several
local
companies and
I miss getting
out. To use a
rather
hackneys
phrase, "I'm
sick and tired
of feeling
sick and
tired." But it
really does
describe how I
feel!
Today is
"Labor Day"
here in the US
and a good
time to remind
our readers of
the blessing
of labor,
something so
many forget.
Careful
students will
recognize
today’s first
verse either
by the
reference or
the mention of
“work” as one
of the Ten
Commandments.
However we
normally
associate this
commandment
(the fourth)
as a
prohibition
regarding work
on the
Sabbath.
But
today let us
consider the
positive
element in
this
commandment
which is found
in the phrase,
“Six days
you shall
labor and do
all your work”.
From the very
beginning God
has ordained
work in some
form as Adam
and Eve were
called to
subdue and
rule. Do you
see your work
as a blessing
or a curse?
Sadly,
a common
attitude among
many in the
work force is
to view labor
as a curse.
Mondays are
dreaded by
many and a
popular phrase
for the end of
the week is
“TGIF” (Thank
God It’s
Friday) which
typically is
not a reverent
expression of
gratitude to
God, who made
every day for
us to rejoice.
What should
our attitude
be toward
work?
God wants us
to view work
as a blessing
and respond
accordingly.
We are to live
in His
presence and
glorify Him at
all times,
including our
time at work.
The apostle
Paul expresses
this
perspective in
Colossians
3:23: “Whatever
you do, work
at it
wholeheartedly
as though you
were doing it
for the Lord
and not merely
for people.”
David C.
McCasland
writes,
Today
we urge you to
have an
earnest
thankfulness
for your job
and a
recognition of
this provision
that comes
indirectly
from God.
Daily work
done for God
takes on
eternal value
while it also
builds
character and
provides a
good role
model for
others to
follow.
Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, help
us to labor
wholeheartedly
according to
Your command.
We want to
bless You with
a grateful
attitude and
bless our
workplace in
regard to our
productivity
and loyalty.
We thank You
for our daily
provision and
blessing that
comes through
the work of
our hands. We
also thank You
for our
employers who
help to meet
our monetary
needs. We pray
for those who
are presently
seeking
employment
that You will
provide a
place of
gainful
employment.
But until that
financial door
opens we pray
that You will
provide
through
unexpected
means and the
generosity of
others. As You
bless us
through the
work of our
hands we in
turn bless You
by faithfully
giving back a
generous
portion to
finance Your
kingdom
through the
local church,
Christian
ministries,
and other
worthy
endeavors and
needy
individuals.
Grant us the
desire to live
with less so
that others
can have more.
In the name of
Jesus we pray.
Amen.
In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
To
donate
directly
online click
here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering to:
Stephen and
Brooksyne
Weber -
700001-237376
serving in
specialized
chaplaincy
(Daily
Encouragement
is our
endorsed
special
chaplaincy
ministry).
Stephen & Brooksyne
Daily Encouragement on:
Wordpress
iHeart
radioPermissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version and a variety of other versions.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
© Copyright 2024 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA