FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 - SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS ON WORK

 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2022 - SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS

This week I have written about Labor Day, and about working.  Today I am going to approach working from a spiritual point of view with some scriptures about working.

I’m using Christian Scriptures about work.  I think other approaches might be similar.  The basic spiritual concept is “if you don’t work you shouldn’t eat”.  

Now, there are exclusions to this - like you are unable to work (handicapped), or retired.  I am retired, but for my own sanity and for my benefit I am working part-time (about six hours a week).  For me, that lets me keep busy, and benefits the senior residents that I see.

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So, from Christian scriptures.

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men”

If I work at a job - and think it is “just” a job, that’s okay (so so), but if I work at a job as if it is working for God, I will be blessed.  If my viewpoint is “God will provide”, but I think that if we are able we should do our part.

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2 Thessalonians 3:30 “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”

If I want to eat, I need to be willing to work.  (Retirement is not part of the Christian Scriptures - but indirectly I think God/He/She/It/The Force understands retirement.  God’s ways are not our ways!!!

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Proverbs 16:2 “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

(Prayer, God today bless my work - bless my writing, bless my part-time job, bless my activities - for I do COMMIT my work and my activities to YOU!!!)

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1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

WHATEVER I DO - do it ALL to the Glory of God!!  If I want to be blessed by God/He/She/It/The Force - I need to be “in tune”.

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Psalm 128:2 “You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.”

If I work, I will get the fruit of my labor (in these days that generally means money) - and I will be blessed!! 

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Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” 

Although my paycheck might be from a certain employer, it really is from GOD.  In some respects God/He/She/It is involved with the whole economy!!!

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Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

It is all in my attitude.  If I jump out of bed in the morning and say “Yeehaw, today I get to work, and through my work I will bless the Lord, and through my work, God will bless me.

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Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

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Karen adds, who am I to be slovenly, to be idle when I could be working.  God has blessed me - and I need to be a blessing to those around me!!!  I can volunteer and help people, I can be a good neighbor and share from my blessings.  I don’t want to be selfish

Psalm 90:17 “Prosper the work of our hands! Prosper the work of our hands!”

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If I take a big picture - a God that created the universe - infinite, forever; and then me - a finite human being.  Humans need to be busy. Humans need to create food, create value through their jobs. Humans need value in their lives and value comes from work (or volunteering).

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LOVE WINS

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS (1 Thessalonians 5:19), 

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 4:19)

Karen White, September 9, 2022, ©