Excellence At WorkSample

Excellent Work Should Have Lasting Value

Many of us grew up believing that the only work that lasts into eternity is “saving souls,” and that other work doesn’t really matter to God. The message was: if I want to do work that lasts, I’d better go out and evangelize.

But Joseph teaches us that all work has the potential for lasting value, if it’s done with faith, hope and love. When Pharaoh needed someone who could interpret his dream, Joseph was brought to him from prison because he had demonstrated this ability years earlier for the Cub-bearer. Joseph began by making it clear to Pharaoh that man does not interpret dreams, but God provides the interpretation when we ask Him. After Joseph explained that the dream was meant to alert Pharaoh to prepare for seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine, Pharaoh placed Joseph as second in command to ensure that preparations would be done with excellence. 

Joseph had the faith that God would energize his work with divine interpretations for Pharaoh’s dreams. He had love for Pharaoh and the people affected by the coming famine. He had love for the Cup-bearer whom he had helped, even after he forgot about Joseph once he got out of prison. Joseph had hope that Egypt and the surrounding nations could survive the famine if they worked wisely with the resources God gave them during the seven years of abundance.

Paul tells us that any work done in faith, hope, and love will find its place in God’s future. That’s a good definition of excellent work. If your work is filled with love for your team and customer, it will last. If you do your work faithfully tied to God’s wisdom and character, it will last. If your work is shaped by God’s eternal perspective, it will last. Your work is filled with great potential for lasting value when you do it with faith, hope, and love.

Prayer

Father, help me to be aware of opportunities to do my work with faith, hope, and love. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do lasting work today. With this opportunity comes great responsibility. Help me to be a good steward of my work today. In Jesus’ name . Amen.