“From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.” Proverbs 12:14

Faith is a funny thing. It usually works in partnership with work. The Bible says in the book of James chapter 2, faith without works is dead. Faith is the substance God uses to do His work, but it is often connected to our work. God blesses the work of our hands. He blesses productivity.

✓ The Dictionary defines work as an activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.

Work is sometimes seen as a dirty word or is associated with a negative connotation. Dolly Parton made a hit song out of it. “Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living!” But as we see in Proverbs 12:14, the Bible says the work of our hands brings reward.

✓ Nothing is free! Talk is cheap!

These are true sayings. It takes work to experience achievements in life. Without work scarcity and poverty set in. The Bible points us to the work and industriousness of the ant.

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” Proverbs 6:6-11

✓ Some people think nice things will just be handed to them, or dreams will just miraculously happen.

For sure God does miracles, but even miracles requires action, such as prayer and seeking the Lord. More often than not, it is work that produces increase and reward.

✓ Leaders work!

Leaders work hard, but do not work aimlessly without thought, planning and careful execution. For sure good leaders are not lazy or stagnant. They set vision and work to make it happen.

✓ Building Christ’s Church takes work.

It can be said faith alone is not what pleases God, but faith evidenced by what we do to support our faith does. That’s work.

As a church leader I have seen the fruit of labor. Our church has impacted many lives and the community because of God’s favor and blessing upon the labor of the people to bring the Gospel to the world. It takes people working and serving together to cause a church to be impactful in the community. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:58; “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

✓ It takes work to build a worthwhile life.

Work puts food on the table, work pays bills, work brings a sense of accomplishment, work allows savings to accumulate for dreams to come true. Work builds a family that honors Christ and His church.

Work is a good thing when it is centered around Christ, His church, and honoring the Sabbath.

Featured