Devotion - Productivity and Purpose
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart… it
is the Lord Christ you are serving. - Colossians
3:23-24
IN WORD
Surveys indicate that more than half of employees are
dissatisfied with their work situation. Much of that
is human nature: In our eyes, the grass is always
greener somewhere else. But the issue goes deeper than
a general, natural discontentment. We want to know
that our work matters and many people come to the
conclusion that theirs does not.
It is easier to find meaning in some jobs than others
but nearly all have an apparent pointlessness in one
or more areas. Whether our work is as predictable as
an assembly line, as impressive as a political or
economic power trip, or simply as profound as raising
children and managing a family, we often have a deep
seated desire to be more, to do more, to see more
results. Deep down, we want to be important.
Paul sometimes worked as a tentmaker. What do we
remember about his tent production? The design? The
quality? The quantity? No, we know nothing of it. The
work of his hands left no legacy in this world. But we
know a lot about the way he conducted business and
related to others. The legacy is astounding. We’re
studying it even today.
Zacchaeus, the wee little man who forsook his
deceitful tax-collecting practices when Jesus showed
him a better way, is not remembered for his business.
The empire that he fed is long gone. The records that
he kept do not exist. The projects that his
collections funded are now rubble. But the manner in
which he did his business after he met Jesus - that’s
an eternal testimony in the Word of God.
IN DEED
Don’t get confused. It’s not your productivity that
matters most. It won’t last. What’s important to God
is the way in which you do your work. That can have an
eternal impact. We too easily base our sense of
fulfillment on the work of our hands. But that job is
only the platform that supports us as we live the work
of our lives. The gospel is what matters. Live it with
all your heart - even at work.
“Work becomes worship when done for the Lord”.