Privilege or Punishment?

What is your attitude towards work? Do you tend see work as something positive or do you view it more negatively? Is it something to thank God for, a privilege and an opportunity to embrace? Or is it perhaps a necessary evil, something to be either avoided or endured? 

I was challenged recently through a book, written by an American Rabbi. His aim was to share the wisdom he had accumulated throughout his long and productive working life. He spoke of the value of contributing to the welfare of others, not only throughout the span of a normal working life, but also before and beyond these years. In addition to this book, I was also inspired by a new ministry set up by the previous Ellel leaders in South-Africa, aimed at people in retirement age. They are trying to help older people grasp the incredible value they can add to the Kingdom of God. 

It served to challenge my conception of work. There is so much to be thankful for! Being able to contribute, helps give a sense of purpose and of value. This is true for anyone, irrespective of age, and whether it is part of paid employment or not.  

As we work, we grow in skills and develop the talents God has given us, helping us become more and more the person God designed us to be. Work can be a vehicle towards personal growth and wholeness.  

When God put Adam and Eve in Eden, He gave them responsibility to steward the land, to tend to the garden. Note this privilege wasn’t bestowed on any other creature, only on those bearing the image of God. Similarly, when speaking of eternity, Jesus taught that those who were responsible with what had been given them in this life, would be given yet greater responsibility in the world to come. This is obviously not a threat of punishment, but a promise of a reward. 

Jesus said, “My Father is always working, and so am I” (John 5:17) As followers of Jesus we have the privilege to do every job, great or small, to the glory of God (Colossians 3:17). We can find profound joy in doing work as God intended. 

Perhaps Satan has tried to rob us of the joy of working. Perhaps we have been too influenced by negativity from the world around us. Perhaps we have made our own wrong sinful choices. May God help us and transform our thinking to be able to see work as He sees it- something we do as worshippers, for the glory of God.