Work to Honor God

“Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.” –Ecclesiastes 9:10a (NKJV)

“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: ‘If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.’ ” -1 Thessalonians 3:10 (NKJV).

Recently I read an article by T. R. McNeal on the theology of work. He stated that God is a working God who worked to create the universe and all that is in it. He works likewise to sustain it. Mankind, created in God’s image, was place on the earth to work. “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15). Labor did not come about due to man’s fall. Man was already working to cultivate the earth and make it produce. After man became rebellious and sinned by partaking of what God told him to leave alone, Adam and Eve were expelled from the beautiful Garden of Eden, and work became complicated. Because of the fall, “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life…In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground.” (Genesis 3:17b, 19a. NKJV). The commission made to Adam ages ago to work and subdue the earth still remains in force. Today, agriculture is not the main mode of work. Mankind is engaged in work that is physical, social, cultural and spiritual in nature. But whatever we do to make a living, God’s people are to practice integrity in work. We are to work to honor God and to help mankind.

My mother and father were strong proponents of the words from Ecclesiastes 9:10a: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.” No shoddiness in work habits and products from labor were allowed. Another adage they practiced, akin to the lesson from “the preacher” in Ecclesiastes: “If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing right.” On the farm, we saw living proof of what Paul wrote about in 2 Thessalonians 3:10: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” Our theology of work also practiced “Give an honest day’s work for a day’s wage.” With these teachings learned early in life given orally and practiced by both precept and example, I gratefully learned the value and necessity for work and that Christians should strive to be honest, conscientious and productive in their work.

Another important aspect of work—whatever we do to make a living—is to view our labor first and foremost as serving God. For a Christian, the primary aim of any type of work is ministry to and for others. Christians may work on a farm, in an office, teach, administer, labor. Jesus taught that we are salt and light, His representatives in the workplace. Think of the difference we can make if we apply a sound theology of work in whatever we do. Spend time thinking about the sacredness of your work and what God expects you to do and to be through your work. Pray that whatever your hands find to do in the work-a-day world that God will be honored and that you and others will be blessed by your labor. At this Labor Day weekend (and every day), thank God for the privilege of work.

–Ethelene Dyer Jones 09.06.2015

That Which Is “Far Off and Exceedingly Deep”

“All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, ‘I will be wise’; But it was far from me. As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, Who can find out? I applied my heart to know, To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things.” –Ecclesiastes 7:23-25 (NKJV). “For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything that is before them. Everything occurs alike to all.” –Ecclesiastes 9:1-2a (NKJV). Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” – John 20:29.

So much escapes our knowledge. As the writer of Ecclesiastes laments: “that which is far off and exceedingly deep, who can find out?” We may study the Bible sincerely, but its rich mine of knowledge and spiritual wisdom may escape our understanding. Are we to despair? In our efforts “to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things” can we gain enough knowledge to give us assurance along life’s pathway? Sometimes we, like the “assembly man”—for that is the meaning of Ecclesiastes, the one who calls a religious assembly or who is its spokesman or preacher—think: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). But, fortunately for the wisdom-seeker, Ecclesiastes, the “assembly-man,” there is an optimistic conclusion to his searching: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, Whether it is good or whether it is evil” (-Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NKJV).

I concluded the cited verses above with John 20:29 for a specific reason. Jesus had already appeared after His resurrection from the dead to some of the disciples. Thomas had not yet seen the resurrected Christ and had made the statement: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Eight days later, Thomas was with the disciples when Jesus appeared to them. He invited Thomas to reach and touch His nail-scarred hands and His pierced side. But seeing Jesus was enough. Thomas did not have to touch His Lord to believe. Then Jesus made an astounding statement that includes you and me and any believers: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29, NKJV). It is possible, through the eyes of faith, to see that which is “far off and exceedingly deep.” “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV). The necessity for faith is clearly stated in Habakkuk 3:4b as the prophet forth-tells the vision that would come: “The just shall live by his faith.” This statement became the central thrust of Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” so boldly proclaimed in 1517 in Germany, the document that started the Reformation.

I am amazed and grateful that the findings of archaeologists are unraveling that which is “far off and exceedingly deep.” For those who would criticize and term many of the events and people of the Bible as myths and legends, archaeology is proving them true. Beneath the Gulf of Aquaba (the Red Sea) have been found Egyptian chariot wheels and other artifacts of that event in the history of God’s people and their protection and safety as God led and provided. Much will still remain “far off and exceedingly deep” for us. Part of it is the awesome mystery and wonder of God, the omnipotent, omniscient One. We have enough of His revelation and wisdom to link us in faith to Him. As the father of the sick child may we pray: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b).  Ethelene Dyer Jones 11.09.2014

That Which Is “Far Off and Exceedingly Deep”

“All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, ‘I will be wise’; But it was far from me. As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, Who can find out? I applied my heart to know, To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things.” –Ecclesiastes 7:23-25 (NKJV). “For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything that is before them. Everything occurs alike to all.” –Ecclesiastes 9:1-2a (NKJV). Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” – John 20:29.

So much escapes our knowledge. As the writer of Ecclesiastes laments: “that which is far off and exceedingly deep, who can find out?” We may study the Bible sincerely, but its rich mine of knowledge and spiritual wisdom may escape our understanding. Are we to despair? In our efforts “to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things” can we gain enough knowledge to give us assurance along life’s pathway? Sometimes we, like the “assembly man”—for that is the meaning of Ecclesiastes, the one who calls a religious assembly or who is its spokesman or preacher—think: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). But, fortunately for the wisdom-seeker, Ecclesiastes, the “assembly-man,” there is an optimistic conclusion to his searching: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, Whether it is good or whether it is evil” (-Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NKJV).

I concluded the cited verses above with John 20:29 for a specific reason. Jesus had already appeared after His resurrection from the dead to some of the disciples. Thomas had not yet seen the resurrected Christ and had made the statement: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Eight days later, Thomas was with the disciples when Jesus appeared to them. He invited Thomas to reach and touch His nail-scarred hands and His pierced side. But seeing Jesus was enough. Thomas did not have to touch His Lord to believe. Jesus then made an astounding statement that includes you and me and any believers: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29, NKJV). It is possible, through the eyes of faith, to see that which is “far off and exceedingly deep.” “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV). The necessity for faith is clearly stated in Habakkuk 3:4b as the prophet foretells the vision that would come: “The just shall live by his faith.” This statement became the central thrust of Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” that started the Reformation so boldly proclaimed in Germany in 1517.

The findings of archaeologists are unraveling that which is “far off and exceedingly deep.” For critics who want to claim events of the Bible as myths and legends, archaeology is proving the accounts true. Beneath the Gulf of Aquaba (the Red Sea) Egyptian chariot wheels and other artifacts have been found. These point to the ancient Egyptians burial by water as they tried to pursue the Israelites who crossed the Red Sea on dry land. The artifacts offer proof of that event in the history. Much still is “far off and exceedingly deep” for us. Much is yet to be learned of the awesome mystery and wonder of God, the omnipotent, omniscient One. But we have enough of His revelation and wisdom to link us in faith to Him. As the father of the sick child may we pray: Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b). -Ethelene Dyer Jones 10.05.2014

Work

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…” –Ecclesiastes 9:10a.

“Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.  And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us:  and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.” –Psalm 90:16-17 (KJV).

Pride can be of two kinds:  a vain pride when we feel egotistical, superior, conceited and self-important about what we accomplish.   Or pride can be a feeling of self-respect, dignity and self-worth knowing that we have done our best and show good results from our efforts.  I learned early in life the precept taught in Ecclesiastes  9:10:  “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”  My parents were both very hard workers who took pride in their work—jobs well done on the farm.  They taught their children to work and to be responsible with work.  Moreover, they were role models, setting an example of a good workman.  Work is a privilege and should be approached seriously and with our best efforts.  Later on, as I grew (I hope) in knowledge and understanding, I found there is a “theology of work.”  The Bible teaches us these important theological aspects of work well done:

(1)  Believers work because they are made in God’s image.  Some believe work came about because mankind fell into sin and the curse of work was upon them.  However, man worked before the fall.  It was made more difficult by the fall.  God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and told them to cultivate it—which entailed work.  Work was initiated by God and is a primary commission for mankind.  Although agricultural in the beginning, today work encompasses labor that is physical, mental, social and spiritual.  And we are to do whatever our work and calling “with our might” and make it pleasing in God’s sight.

(2)  Integrity in work reflects God’s character working in and through us.  Christians should be at all times conscientious, honest, productive and thorough in their work.  Our work should be done “as unto the Lord.” 

(3)  Within our work God also made a plan for rest.  He worked six days in creation and on the seventh day rested.  He gave man a day of rest.  Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27, KJV).  Man’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual limits are aided by a day of rest.

(4)  Christians should see their work, whatever it is, as serving the Lord.  Work is not just earning a living.  Worthwhile work brings a sense of purpose and worth and helps others grow. 

Billy Graham wrote, “Every believer will receive a reward for his works” (Facing Death and the Life After.  Waco, TX: Word, 1987, p. 265).  What better reward than to hear the Lord say to the individual believer:  “Well done, thou good and faithful servant...enter thou into the joy of thy Lord’  (Matthew 25:23. KJV).