Purposeful Gain!

Many people work to simply gain more stuff. Some steal to acquire things. For others their life boils down to this: They work so they can eat so they can work so they can eat so they can work…! Is that all the purpose we find for living? If we work to make money, what is it all for? Is it merely to survive or is there a higher purpose? Providing for family is important, especially since Paul pointed out that those who refuse to do so are worse than an unbeliever. ( 1 Timothy 5:8) Nevertheless, is there purpose even beyond this?

Writing to the church at Ephesus, Paul exhorted…
“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him LABOR, DOING HONEST WORK with his own hands, so that he MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE WITH ANYONE IN NEED.” ( Ephesians 4:28 ESV)

The work we do ought to be honest labor. That would mean it should be honorable work and the way in which we perform it should be to the best of our ability. However, did you notice Paul’s emphasis was not merely on making a living? He stated one purpose for working is so we might have something TO SHARE with others who are in need.

Even in the area of working we must guard against being selfish. Work is not all about us and getting more stuff. Work is about glorifying God by doing a job well, performing worthwhile service for others, providing for the needs of family, taking care of our debts, and having something TO SHARE with those who can use our help. Paul told Timothy to encourage the rich to be “rich in good works” by being generous and ready TO SHARE, for by so doing they would receive the greatest gain. ( 1 Timothy 6:18-19) May we recognize the many facets connected with our labors in life, performing them with the purposes of God in mind.

Have a great day THANKING GOD WE HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE!
Carl

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