Joy and Dignity of Work

Call To Prayer 

Title: Joy and Dignity of Work 

By: Njuacha Hubert 

Date: 02.03.2024 

33 Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”   34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.   John 4:33-34 

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). This also means there is time to work and time to rest. Sometimes laziness sets in, and we may even find ourselves wishing we had no work but could just receive. But today I would like to share some thoughts that by God’s grace will reignite our love for the work we have been called to do today. 

Beloved in Christ, there is joy and dignity in work. Work in itself is not a consequence of Adam and Eve’s disobedience but rather stressful work (Genesis 3:17-19) for before their fall they were already working in the garden; tending the garden, naming the animals (Genesis 2:15-17). This is because work is great. It is fulfilling. It is an opportunity to be useful, productive, to serve.  

Saint Paul said in Acts 20:35: In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”.  

It’s important that we renew our minds about work and access the grace to work joyfully. To work not like a man under the curse but as one who has been liberated and is now free to work (from rest, without stress) not just for reward but as one who is already blessed and grateful (Ephesians 1:3). Colossians 3:23-24: says:  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. This is also similar to the motivation Jesus expressed in the opening verse; he found joy in working to please the father.  

So, in all, we can see 2 sources of motivation. The first is that we are grateful for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ without which we would not be heirs of eternal life (John 3:16, Titus 3:7) and have access to grace (Ephesians 1:3, John 15:5). The second part is we are aware of his faithfulness in rewarding our labour of love (Hebrews 6:10, Hebrews 11:6). With these two elements: A grateful and hopeful heart we can work always joyfully utilizing strength and grace that He provides.  Again work joyfully, because we know we are serving the Lord by serving others.

Prayer Point:  

Let’s thank God for the word today. Let’s pray for more understanding of our inheritance in Christ Jesus which imparts grace to work from His rest.