The Diligent Worker
Many a time we get lots of advice on how to manage our God-given finances, and sometimes overlook the biblical principles of how to get the silver and gold. Indeed working is an integral part of our everyday activities. We spend so much time at our work stations with the ultimate aim of earning some money, and this is good and godly because finally it helps us meet our needs and some of our desires. However, how we work matters because God’s glory should be exhibited in our everyday lives and that is why we have to work at being diligent workers.
“Who is a diligent worker?” you may ask. There are many biblical teachings that reveal this kind of person.
The Bible says in Colossians 3:23-24, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord and not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ that you are serving. A diligent worker knows that other than his human employer there is another superior Divine Boss he or she is accountable to and is therefore committed to and passionate about whatever task the Lord has given and works with minimum supervision.
At times, sacrifice may be needed. For instance, doing extra time so as to complete the day’s work and begin the next’s or even going out of your way to help another workmate who is in need. Luke 19:11-26 encourages us to sacrifice and invest our time and skills in our places of work. The two servants went out of their way to invest the money that their master had left them and because of that they were richly rewarded, each in accordance to their input, but disaster followed the servant who failed to invest his money.
Faithfulness is another attribute of a diligent worker. Being faithful with our employers’ property, be it in the office or out of it, is important. Handling those resources responsibly glorifies the Lord. Proverbs 28:20 shows the destiny of a faithful man. The Bible says, a faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. It is also good to remember that he who is faithful in the little things automatically qualifies to be entrusted with bigger things. You may not see those bigger things coming your way at the moment but God will reward you in due time because his word is true and will never go back to him void without accomplishing that which it was sent to do. Isaiah 55:11.
Honesty does not escape in the path of the diligent. While working, honesty is very important, be it in trivial matters or enormous ones. Speaking the truth, using right measures and weights (Proverbs 20:10), refusing to hoard goods (Luke 12:16-18) and selling goods at a fair price all bring glory to the Lord. Proverbs 28:8, He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
A diligent worker realizes the value of community. These are the people we refer to as colleagues or workmates. This worker realizes that people are gifted differently and therefore appreciates the contribution of each person. In addition, he or she realizes that God has divinely networked him with those people for a reason and season and should therefore utilize the God given opportunity maximally. John 2:1-11, Jesus attended a wedding ceremony which was a social gathering together with his disciples and while he was there, the wine ran out and his mother instructed the servants to do whatever Jesus would tell them. The servants obeyed and behold, there was more tasteful wine and the occasion ended successfully. Jesus realized the need to involve people. He did not act alone yet He is God and had the power and ability to do everything. It is wonderful to work together and to respect authority.
The diligent worker commits his work unto the Lord. He or she takes time to pray and thank God for his work place and colleagues because he understands that it is because of the Lord’s doing that he/she is working there. The person understands that all the targets and goals set can only be accomplished through God’s help.
It is possible to be a diligent worker and to make that our lifestyle. It is indeed a choice one needs to make. We may not do everything right everytime, but with God’s help, we keep on trying, never giving up. After all, we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Every time we work diligently, the Lord blesses the work of our hands, and through it all, we glorify Him.
Be blessed!
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