“Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy one to those who send him to work.”

Proverbs 10:26 AMP

Another reminder today that we are expected to be productive for God and man! We hear so much today about the plight of the young worker. How the expectation of a descent days work is no longer the standard of performance. We also see the cry for entitlements for doing absolutely nothing. It is both true and unfortunate reality that man must now work to earn his keep. When man rebelled against God he was sentenced to work for his keep rather than simply enjoy the bounty that had always been provided.

“Then to Adam the LORD God said, “Because you have listened [attentively] to the voice of your wife, and have eaten [fruit] from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’; The ground is [now] under a curse because of you; In sorrow and toil you shall eat [the fruit] of it All the days of your life. 18“Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you shall eat the plants of the field. 19“By the sweat of your face You will eat bread Until you return to the ground, For from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.”

Genesis 3:17-19 AMP

We must be careful to remember that the desire to simply exist and being taken care of is left over from before the fall. The consequence of rejecting God was penalty or work! The good news is that God will bless our work and make it to prosper if we follow His ways. 

““Now it shall be, if you diligently listen to and obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all of His commandments which I am commanding you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you pay attention to the voice of the LORD your God.”

Deuteronomy 28:1 AMP

“The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your storehouses and in [c]all that you undertake, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you. 9The LORD will establish you as a people holy [and set apart] to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk [that is, live your life each and every day] in His ways.” Deuteronomy 28:8 AMP

Do you see it? The promise is conditional upon listening and following the ways of God! God’s Words are like seeds that get planted in the ground. A farmer sows his seed in the anticipation of receiving a harvest. He patiently waits for the gemination and signs of the impending reward. Daily he waters and cultivates the ground and when the first shots appear he doesn’t try to harvest. Laboring day and night he tends the field until the day arrives that the harvest can be brought in. When the good seeds of God’s Word is planted in our heart we must cultivate it with prayer and faith. The enemy will come and try to snatch the seed or destroy the ground in which it has been planted. Patiently we stand in faith preparing for the harvest of God’s promises! The Scripture tells us that,

“Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call on Him [for salvation] while He is near. 7Let the wicked leave (behind) his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion (mercy) on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts higher than your thoughts. 10“For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, Making it bear and sprout, And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

Isaiah 55:6-11 AMP

As Christians, we should have the best work ethics of all! Our employers are ministries that God has called us to and we need to remember that we are working for Him! I am reminded of the following Scripture,

“Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, 24knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.”

Colossians 3:23-24 AMP

Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken