Saturday, September 4th – Allow God To Bless The Work Of Your Hand

Hard work reflects honest character and brings glory to Christ. Several years ago in the South African territory of Kwa-Zulu, the government dug irrigation ditches on both sides of a river. This allowed the rich land to be farmed. The Christian Zulus on one side of the river produced lush crops and prospered. The traditional animist worshipers on the other side continued to live in abject poverty, producing almost nothing on the same kind of soil. Why? The Christians be- lieved they were responsible before God to work hard and live soberly. Their pagan neighbors, on the other hand, viewed work as the women’s responsibility, while the men spent their time drinking and fighting.

The contrast that developed between the Christians and the animists in Kwa-Zulu is a contrast that should be repeated the world over as Christians commit themselves to earning an honest living. When a Christian earns the means to live, God is honored, as his hard work reveals honest character.

A Christian should endeavor to live within their means; a chief sin of the church today is cov- etousness. God promises to provide everything essential for a productive and fulfilling life. But the devil has succeeded in getting many Christians be mixed up about their wants and needs. As a result, many live beyond their means, and God’s money is used to service debt rather than serve Him.

The Christian should pursue competence over compensation; our ultimate desire should not be to earn a big paycheck, but to earn the respect of others, and ultimately, the praise of our Lord. And so whatever your job, do it diligently and gratefully. Through it you will find pleasure and experience God’s blessing.

.