Profitable Work

Psalm 127

Verse 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for He grants sleep to those He loves.

We ended our time yesterday with the thought that we can’t build His kingdom on our own. The psalmist knew this and made it very plain for us.

When we toil for our own gain, whether a gain in prestige, finances, relationships or so many other things, it is important to remember that we can work our fingers to the bone but unless it is God’s desire and power working through us it won’t work out. But what about the times that we are working for Him and His kingdom and feeling overwhelmed?

There can be various reasons we feel overwhelmed when we are working for the Kingdom. One could be that we are doing things that God has not gifted us for. As Christians, we have been given gifts from the Holy Spirit to edify the Church. We don’t all get the same gifts. The variety of gifts are as different as each of us. When we are working in something that we aren’t gifted in, we will not feel the joy that comes when we are using the gifts He has given.

Another reason we may feel overwhelmed is that we are doing too much and not getting the rest we need. If we don’t take the time to rest as God commanded we will find ourselves feeling like we have reached the end of our rope because we are living in disobedience. He created us to function. To function properly we need to obey His design for our lives. Not the lives of our spouse, neighbor or co-worker, but who He created us to be. And we need to rest as He commanded us to.

When we are working in the way the Father has created us to work, we will find that we will have the peace of mind and heart that will allow us to sleep. This sleep will be the kind that rejuvenates. When we are building His Kingdom the way that He wants it to be, we will be filled with the joy that comes from being in His will. Not the happiness the world seeks but the joy that comes from knowing that we are living as He designed us to.

Making It Personal

Is your work in vain? How does your work have eternal value? What can you do better at working for the Kingdom?

Making It Personal Kids

Are there some things that you seem better at than others? What could Jesus want you to do using those skills? What can you do for Jesus today?

Closing Prayer

Father, we know that there are times that we work only for ourselves. Help us know the best way to serve You that brings You glory and builds Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.