ODJ: why work?
March 17, 2011
Warn those who are lazy (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
READ: Proverbs 12:24-13:4
Think back to a time when you were part of a team through school, church, business, volunteer work, or sports. With that experience fresh in your mind, answer the following: What was your team’s primary goal? Prepare a class presentation? Share the gospel with 500 people? Increase sales by 25 percent in three districts? Win a state or national championship? Did your team meet its goals? Why did your group effort succeed or fail? Who worked the hardest on your team? Did anyone fail to put forth the effort needed to achieve the desired results?
On almost every team, there’s a standout performer, the one who works tirelessly and who diligently makes “use of everything they find.” There’s also often a person who’s rich with talent, but who’s lazy and poor at execution; the type of person who doesn’t “even cook the game they catch” (Proverbs 12:27).
People who fail to make the most of opportunities or to follow through with their responsibilities hurt not only themselves, but also their teammates. God’s Word has much to say about the value of work. For example:
• “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper” (13:4).
• “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty” (21:5).
• Be happy in [your] work. That is why we are here!” (Ecclesiastes 3:22).
• “Enjoy your work . . . this is indeed a gift from God” (5:19).
• “Those who work [hard] deserve their pay” (Luke 10:7).
Jesus also said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life” (John 6:27 NIV). Make it your goal to complete what God calls you to do, keeping in mind that no work “you do for the Lord is ever useless” (1 Corinthians 15:58). —Roxanne Robbins
What is something God is calling you to do? How are you putting forth the required work to complete it?
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