God created us to work and he rewards it
- Emmanuel Awoyelu
- Apr 29, 2023
- 4 min read
It’s not unusual to hear people say they no longer want to work anymore. I’ve definitely said this many times and have longed for the opportunity to live a sweet life somewhere in the sun with no work.
It’s very easy to be led by the belief that work is what is stopping us from getting what we want in life but It’s actually the opposite. Very few people have become successful without doing some kind of work. Aside from the achievements and success, we know work is fundamental to our livelihood. It’s how we pay our bills, pay out rent/mortgage, buy nappies and enjoy a night out with friends.
So why is their such a negative mind set towards work lately?
I personally believe people who genuinely do not want to work are actually in the minority. It’s very possible people’s complaints about work are more likely down to lack of fulfilment. They are simply not doing the work they’d actually want to do. It may even be that you love the work you do but you can’t stand taking orders from current boss or having to work in poor circumstances. I’ve been there. Then there is the common source of complaint which is the financial [or lack of] reward you’re receiving for the work you may actually enjoy.
When I reflect on my own journey and perspective on work, I realise I am actually a workaholic. I love teaching, I care about my profession and I have goals that require the kind of work some of pmy peers will never dream of doing. My difficult times at work have almost always been a result of external distractions. Trying to stand up to my racist employer or not feeling valued in my role. These have been challenges I’ve had to overcome since my first job at 16. Then there’s the on going issue I have with imposter syndrome. All of these things are and remain distractions. When it’s all said and done, the outside noise should never stop me from doing the work because dropping my ego and doing the work will ultimately be all that matters.
When you’re exhausted, disillusioned and trying to figure out how to stop your eye from twitching because of stress, it’s important to note that God does reward our hard work. Not only do we see examples of this with our parents and colleagues. We hear it through the success stories of the likes of Kanye West and Cristiano Ronaldo who worked tirelessly to get to where there were. More importantly we see many references to this in the Bible where God reminds us there is value in putting in the work whatever we do.
In Collossians 3:23 it says:
“Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,”
Colossians 3:23 AMP
His word is telling us to work as if God is our employer [and the one we’re providing the service to]. Humans [men in particular] are created and designed to work. The first instruction given to Adam’s was “keep and look after the Garden of Eden”.
“So the Lord God took the man [He had made] and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.”
Genesis 2:15 AMP
God isn’t asking us to do something he hasn’t had to do himself.
“So the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts (inhabitants). And by the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested (ceased) on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.”
Genesis 2:1-2 AMP
The world we live in was literally created from God working on it. He worked on the world and then worked on creating the people to live in this world. The first version of SIMS! We can confidently say that God is the first [and greatest] artist, architect and gardener the world has ever known.
God also believes in rest and rewarding good work. I’m sure If Adam hadn’t eaten the Forbidden fruit from the forbidden tree his reward would have been greater than what he received but he breached his employment contract and paid the price. He even snitched on his co-worker and pinned it on her.
It’s like your employer telling you to maintain his/her office but stay out of their fridge. One day, you drink the Coke in there and tell your boss your wife called and said you deserved it, plus she wanted a taste. Ungrateful and untrustworthy. You had one job.
Psalm 62:12 says
“Also to You, O Lord, belong lovingkindness and compassion, For You compensate every man according to [the value of] his work.”
Psalms 62:12 AMP
He wants to reward us. We know this can be financial but we also know with hard work comes greater opportunities that can be far more valuable than the pay slip you recieve. This requires a complete transformation and conditioning of the mind. If you can condition the mind to do something, this will ultimately affect the way you think, the desire and will to complete the work and the feelings you express regarding the work - even on the days you can’t be bothered.
His word is clear that we must work but he implies strongly that with little effort in the work, you won’t be rewarded here on earth or by the Heavenly Father who seeks to do so.
YouTube recommendation:
Myles Munroe: Taking control of your mind
Comments