Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. .....
Continuing my week long focus on Humility. The Lord directed me to read Colossians 3 this morning. It talks about several things, all very hard verses to study.....why? Because WE KNOW EXACTLY what they mean ..... ie: no lexicon or "original Greek" study needed here.....never the less.... near the end it talks about "slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters", then it says "whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men".
The Question was raised in my heart....."am I dogging it?". I have to admit, being a small business owner in the worst economy since the great depression there are weeks where I literally put in 50-60 hours of hard work and get paid $0 for it. Most weeks my minimum wage crew gets paid more than I do. Honestly.... It wears on me big time. A few weeks here and there are expected but 3+ years in a row?
DAY 4: Today I will "work heartily as for the Lord and not for men". Why is this "humble"? Because everything inside of me wants to say, what do I get out of it, how will I benefit? Whether its pay, recognition, respect or just satisfaction we all want something out of what we do. If we don't get it our pride says, "whats in it for me?". God says, do it for me and you will be rewarded!
Blessing!
Continuing my week long focus on Humility. The Lord directed me to read Colossians 3 this morning. It talks about several things, all very hard verses to study.....why? Because WE KNOW EXACTLY what they mean ..... ie: no lexicon or "original Greek" study needed here.....never the less.... near the end it talks about "slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters", then it says "whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men".
The Question was raised in my heart....."am I dogging it?". I have to admit, being a small business owner in the worst economy since the great depression there are weeks where I literally put in 50-60 hours of hard work and get paid $0 for it. Most weeks my minimum wage crew gets paid more than I do. Honestly.... It wears on me big time. A few weeks here and there are expected but 3+ years in a row?
DAY 4: Today I will "work heartily as for the Lord and not for men". Why is this "humble"? Because everything inside of me wants to say, what do I get out of it, how will I benefit? Whether its pay, recognition, respect or just satisfaction we all want something out of what we do. If we don't get it our pride says, "whats in it for me?". God says, do it for me and you will be rewarded!
Blessing!
Wow Mike...
ReplyDeleteThis is a really hard one!
I know for me, not having a job, I feel purposeless. In fact, in therapy, this came up that I am one of those people that needs to have something to look forward to.... something to wake up for everyday.
I guess I never thought of this as pride.... but you are right. I should just wake up everyday, during this time of "open availability", and simply ask God to use me that day to serve His purpose.
I am not quite sure, though, how not to feel satisfaction afterward though.
Much to think about.... hmmmmmm
How do we feel satisfaction with no worldly recognition?
ReplyDeletePeter once asked Jesus, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?" (Matthew 19:27)
He said, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life" (vv. 28-29).
Jesus is stating in emphatic terms that God will reward us generously — but he also warns us that this life is not a life of physical luxury. We will have persecutions, trials and sufferings in this life. But the blessings outweigh the difficulties by a hundred-to-one margin! Whatever sacrifices we make will be richly compensated. Doing all things unto the Lord with no recognition or "satisfaction" is certainly worth it.
I guess the question is what "satisfy's" you? Forgiveness and completely undeserved favor is a pretty hefty satisfying gift :)