By Nadine Voogt
*** All scripture from NIV
Happy Workers Day/Labour Day!
Workers Day (Also known as Labour Day) has been an international holiday in many countries since 1891. It originated from the long struggle for workers’ rights and social justice of the late 1800’s. In South Africa, a country with our own long and messy history of labour and social conflicts, Workers Day has been officially recognised and observed since the first democratic elections in 1994.
How crazy to think that there is an entire day dedicated to an area of our lives that most of us have some negative feelings towards. I would love to think that we all LOVE our daily work, but the sad reality is that most of us are simply “working for the weekend.”
As Christians, work is something that is biblical. It forms a part of what God has called us to do. But do not take my word for it, let us have a look at the acronym WORK and see what the Bible says about it:
W: Work was created by God. In Gen 2:2-3 it says “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so, on the seventh day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” So not only was work created by God, but He Himself also had to do some work. Yes, His work was a tiny bit more extravagant than what we do daily, but it was work, nonetheless. Genesis 2:15 says “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Here we see that God created Adam and one of the first things He gives Adam to do is work. We see later that even Jesus worked as a carpenter before His ministry began. Surely, we can conclude that work is important to God and therefore should be of importance to us. This goes for “rest” as well- but that is a topic for another day.
O: Opportunity to use our gifts. God has given each one of us gifts, things we are good at, skills and knowledge. He wants us to use these gifts.
We see this in Romans 12:6-8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
What better chance to use these gifts we have been given, than what we spend about a third of our lives doing?
PS: This is also for the homemakers and stay at home moms. Your work is in the home and so lean into the skills and gifts of being a mom, homemaker, organiser, caregiver, lover, designer, the list goes on. Your work is important too!
R: Rewards come to those who work. In Matthew 25:21, the parable of the talents, it says, “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”
Phew! Thank goodness this work is not for nothing! But the key words here are “You have been faithful….” We cannot simply work half-heartedly and without any faith and expect growth and reward. We need to be good and faithful stewards of our work, no matter how big or small the responsibilities. Colossians sums this up well as we can see in
Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving….” And it is this inheritance that is also far better than any earthly reward!
K: Kingdom mindset is key. At Venture Church, this year, our vision is “Living It Up”.
(Col 3:1-12) which simply means living out our lives in freedom, with a Kingdom mindset, with eternity in mind. This means that even in our daily work we should find ways to “Set our mind on things above,” to not find ourselves distracted by the issues and little foxes that sneak their way into our hearts and minds. Sometimes we need to step back and realise there is a bigger picture to this ‘9 to 5’, and if we seek Him, He can reveal how we are employed in His great Kingdom- building plan.
Work is a gift of grace from God. We are blessed to work in whatever capacity He has given us. Work is not a punishment for sin, because as we read earlier in Genesis with Adam, work was introduced by God before sin even came into the picture. He is good, and the work he gives us is good. So then, just as God has given us grace to work, so should we also extend grace in the workplace.
Have a boss who does not care for you? Show them love. (Matt 22:36-40)
Have a co-worker who makes your days difficult? Pray for them. (Matt 5:44)
Working overtime, long hours and putting extra unpaid work in? Do it to the best of your abilities, give it 150%. Your inheritance will come.
God has called you to this position in this work for such a time as this. Use every opportunity to make much about Him, bringing glory to Him in every aspect. From your tithes to your tongue. Let everything point to Jesus.
So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Cor 10:31.