We Do the Work

An ad on TV made the statement, “We do the Work.” That sounds rather good, doesn’t it? People who do not have the skills needed to do a specific job but have the financial means to pay someone to do the job, will jump at the chance to have someone else do the work for them. This action is helpful and appreciated. However, most parents do not want their children or grandchildren to fall into the trap of having others do their work for them. Adults want their children to study, work hard, obtain passing grades, and be excellent students. They want them to do the work they are supposed to do. For the most part people want those who have a job to take responsibility to get their own work done.

Work is important in the Bible. For example, the Apostle Paul says, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” – Philippians 2:12-13. This suggests that individuals need to work and God works as well.

1)    God’s work is to provide salvation through the death and resurrection of his son, Jesus. The text says, “It is God who works in you.” We cannot work for our own salvation it is ours to receive by faith because of God’s grace.

2)    A Christian is to “work out your salvation.” This means that a person needs to live out and express the inner transformation that has already taken place in their lives.

Here is another biblical mention of work. “Whatever you do [Scope], work at it with all your heart [Method], as working for the Lord [Manner], not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance [Reward] from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” – Colossians 3:23-24. These verses suggest four aspects of work as identified in the text.

1)    Scope.  First, the range of work is described as "everything that is done." The verse simply says, “Whatever you do” which identifies boundaries of the work.

2)    Method.  Second, working “with all your heart” suggests that the action should be completed with much effort, dedication to the task, and be done with great delight.

3)    Manner.  Third, work needs to be undertaken with diligence, lots of integrity, and with great passion because Christians are “working for the Lord.”

4)    Reward.  Fourth, the reward for involvement is not achievement, but faithfulness as noted by the sentence, “You will receive an inheritance.”

God is at work in the lives of Christians. However, Christians need to have a commitment for exceptional work because the motivation for action is directly related to “working for the Lord.” In certain situations, Christians may let others do some of the work. However, in most cases they should be personally engaged in the work themselves.

The Service Factor

Many people in America are involved in volunteering and about one-third of all volunteers are involved in service with religious organizations.  One of the keys to healthy relationships has to do with service.  Why is service to others important? 

Service is important because it has the potential to make your environment a better and more encouraging place. In addition, kindness to others can improve their confidence and optimism. Also, it can challenge others to use your action of service as a pattern for them to replicate. Listen to how the writer to the Hebrews explains service. “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the labor of love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them” (Hebrews 6:10). There are four factors in this verse related to biblical service.

1)    Service is difficult.  The verse mentions “work” and “labor.”  Christian service takes time, energy, and lots of effort.

2)    Service should be motivated by love.  This “labor of love” is more than words or feelings—it is action that is based on God’s love for you, your love for God, and your love for others.

3)    Service should have its ultimate focus on God.  As we serve, we need to keep our eyes on God because it represents the “love [we] have shown him.”  To serve means we are not only showing love to those we serve, but to God himself.  Ephesians 6:7 identifies this service when it says, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you are serving the Lord, not men.”

4)    True service must be ongoing.  Authentic service means there is no letup to our activity, no “breaks in the action”, and no giving up.  This is suggested by the phrase, “continue to help them.”  Service is not a “once and done” deal.  It is something that should be unending.

John Wesley expresses the multi-faceted aspects of service when he said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

Where are you when it comes to the Service Factor?  Is service a vital part of your lifestyle?  Are you anxious to serve others?  If people would describe you, would they say that your life is characterized by service?  Maybe you and I need to take action to serve others with a willing heart. Such a heart suggests that we serve simply because we want to help others.