Often times work gets a bad rap in the church. We think of work as a curse rather than a blessing. Maybe that's because we're having a tough time getting a job or we just don't like our job. Whatever the reason, we miss the fact that work is a part of our design. God gave us work to have a sense of purpose in our days. It helps us enjoy a sense of achievement and forward movement. Work, as originally designed, is good.
It is not wrong to think of the curse side of work, though. Adam ate the forbidden fruit after being clearly warned not to. Once he did this, work got harder. Adam was being punished in this life for his willful rebellion (sin) against God.
To Adam he said..."Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." (Genesis 3:17-19 NIV)
Cain had the same problem. He murdered his brother. This would make work even more difficult for him. Adam had the ground cursed so he would need to work by the sweat of his brow. Cain's punishment takes it a step further.
The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth." (Genesis 4:10-12 NIV)
The best we can tell, Adam accepted his punishment. Cain complained about his, but couldn't change anything. He would struggle for provision the rest of his life. That's because he was fighting against God. Sometimes our struggles in life are self-inflicted. If you come home after work and need to have a drink to calm you down and forget your day, you struggle is with more than just your job. Perhaps you are struggling against God.
Think about this for a second. Let's say you don't like work because you don't like your boss or the people you work with. What does God say about people? They are made in God's image. When they sin, they are rebelling against God. When they sin against us, our response should be forgiveness. The person is not the enemy. The person is taken captive by the enemy to do the enemy's will. Your ministry to this person is to help set the captive free. God has put you in a mission field for ministry. God has given you a place for purpose.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 NIV)
You can be thankful because God is giving you time to work with the person or persons God has put in your path. You can be thankful because God has give you a sense of purpose even in a place you didn't like going before. You can be thankful because God was patient with you as God waited for you to see things God's way. God didn't zap you right away. Instead he patiently waited for you to turn around (repent) in this area and be faithful. You can be thankful
Work isn't about making more money. It's about purpose. In our era, the New Testament era, it's about ministry. It is a part of our mission field for empowering one more to walk together with God. We can be content with however much money we have (or don't have). God will provide what we need...when we work for Him.
How about you? Does sin get in the way of your walk with God? Are your struggles for provision (at least partially) self-inflicted? Do you need to turn around (repent) in your approach toward work? Are you thankful even when you are struggling for provision?
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