For the first half of this month, we’ve examined the importance and value of work. God gave man work, expects man to work, and wants man to benefit from their labor. But as with all things, God uses physical concepts to help us understand spiritual lessons. It is no different from the idea of work and labor. For the second half of the month, we will examine the concept of spiritual work and explore how ultimately our real “job” is to be spiritual laborer for God. Let’s set the framework for this discussion.
Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him God the Father has set his seal. – John 6:27
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. – 1 Cor. 15:58
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. – Eph. 2:10
Jesus tells us that the more important work is the work for food that brings us eternal life. It is more important to engage in spiritual work than earthly work. Here, Jesus tells us plainly – earthly work and its profits perish but spiritual work brings eternal life.
The Apostle Paul repeatedly links the concept of labor to our spiritual walk. We are to always be growing and abounding in God’s work. There are two important points to Paul’s point here:
- There is a clear difference between our earthly work and God’s work.
- We are to be abounding in God’s work. We are to be steadfast and immovable in our work for God.
Paul teaches also us that we were created by God for good works. God wants us to walk in those good works and God’s good works were planned well before we even existed.
So, God wants us to be good, hard diligent workers. He wants us to reflect His glory in our work and labor. However, our earthly work is not our most important work. Our good works for God are the most important works we can labor toward.
As the Lord tells us, our lives should not be focused on working for the food that perishes but on the food that is eternal. Our earthly work will profit us here on earth but our works for God on this earth will lead us to eternal life with Him in Heaven.
So, let’s learn how to be a Laborer for God in the most important work there is – God’s work. #LaborersForGod
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