Finding Financial Balance: WorkingSample

WHATEVER YOU DO

Reading the Bible, it’s easy to see the connection of prophets, priests, apostles, and even kings to service in the kingdom of God, but maybe a little more difficult to relate ‘regular’ jobs to the God-honoring worship we talked about yesterday. However, if we look just a bit deeper into Scripture, we find many examples of people serving God through what we commonly think of as less spiritual roles. Shepherds, doctors, retailers, government workers, tentmakers…the list can go on and on. The beauty of God’s design for mankind’s role in taking care of all of creation is that he gifted each of us with different skills and abilities — all the metaphorical ‘bases’ are covered. Some of us are craftsmen, and some of us are in food service, but all of us play a part in meeting the needs of our community and church. Our work is the perfect outlet for the skills and gifts that God has entrusted to us. We are encouraged and challenged to bring all that God designed us to be to every task we undertake.

We find an interesting example of this in Acts 6. Upon first reading, we might be tempted to think the apostles were saying they were too good or too busy to serve the widows. But that is not the case. People with different gifts are getting aligned with assignments that put those gifts to use. Stephen wasn’t less of a God-servant by feeding widows, in fact, he brought all that he was to the job and is recorded as doing great wonders and signs among the people. Whatever he did, he did wholeheartedly for Jesus.

Ask Yourself:

— What gifts and skills do you believe God has given you?

— How are you utilizing those in your current places of work?

— How can you use them more creatively?

Pause to Pray: Father God, thank you for entrusting me with skills and knowledge to use in your service. Help me to invest those gifts wisely and creatively as I __________. Amen.

Take a Next Step:

If you find it difficult to see what your gifts are or how they could be applied to work, start by reviewing a couple of the lists in the New Testament: Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 4:9-11. Then meet with a trusted mentor, pastor, or friend to talk through your thoughts. And don’t forget to pray!