But Rather Let Him Labor

Another of the things that leads to success is work.  Yep good old fashioned work.  Hard work.  Let's start at the beginning.    

Genesis 2:1-2(NKJV)

1Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 

2And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 

What lessons can we draw from this passage?  Number one, God worked.   As I wrote yesterday Scripture tells us that we are made in the image of God.  God worked so I figure it is probably a good thing for us to do as well.  Also notice that Scripture specifies that it was work that God did Himself, he didn't contract it out to others. 

Lastly God worked hard.  Really, really hard.  How do we know that?  Because it said that God rested.  Now come on.  We're talking about God here.  How can He be tired?  The only thing I can think of is that God worked his tail off! 

Let's look at what else Scripture tells us about work.

Proverbs 10:16(NKJV)

16 The labor of the righteous leads to life,      The wages of the wicked to sin.

Lots of good stuff here.  How does the labor of the righteous lead to life?  I can think of several ways.  First and foremost, we are made righteous through Christ.  So those of us that have accepted Jesus have eternal life.  Have you accepted Jesus yet?  If not why don't you do it right now?  Just ask Jesus to come into your life.  Have a conversation with Him.  "Dear Jesus…"

Another way that it leads to life is that our labor provides us with the resources to live, to tithe, to put food on the table, put a roof over our heads, take vacations, give to the poor, spoil our grandkids, whatever.  It is out labor that provides all of those things and when we are heirs with Christ we are told our rewards will be here on earth as well as in heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:58(NKJV)

58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Ephesians 4:28(NKJV)

28Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 

We need to work for God's kingdom.  We need to make that a priority.  We need to be steadfast in that work.  Our desire to sleep indoors and go shopping for our food keeps us steadfast in our regular work.  We need to make that same type of consistent effort when we work on God's behalf.  And God reminds us that we are building up rewards in Heaven so while we may not see results here on earth we need to keep working because God has promised that any work we do for Him will never be wasted effort.

In addition Ephesians makes clear that in order for us to be a blessing to others we need to work so that we will have something to give when others are in need.

Deuteronomy 12:6-7(NKJV)

6There you shall take your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, your vowed offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. 

7And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which the Lord your God has blessed you.  

And finally after all of the hard work we are to rejoice in the success we have achieved through our hard work.  That success is a blessing from God!