How to Get the Most Out of Your Work
COLOSSIANS 3:22-4:1 

Do you wake up every day dreading your job? If so, you might have a misguided view of work. The Bible teaches us to view ourselves as servants and to work as unto the Lord, regardless of who our employer is.

Jesus Christ Himself set the example—in Matthew 20:28, He explained that He came not to be served, but to serve. If you want to succeed at your job, you must have the attitude of Christ—which was that of a bondservant. Instead of simply clocking in to get something for yourself, invest in others and be a team player. If somebody asks you to walk with him one mile, walk with him two (Matt. 5:41). Your attitude will honor God and affect the quality of your work.

When I was in college, I worked in a textile mill, which was unbearably hot and a terrible place to work. I disliked being there but realized that I had to adjust my attitude, so I told God, “I’m going to do this as if You’re my boss.” That changed everything. I no longer minded the heat and was able to witness to six people at a time. My boss didn’t like my witnessing, but he hired me back the following year anyway. Had my attitude been negative, nobody would have listened to me, and I would have been out of a job.

If you’re working simply to make money, you have a shortsighted view of what labor is all about. There is nothing wrong with wanting to make a good living for you and your family. But as a Christian, you serve the Lord, and that should be evident in your earthly work

True Love For Christ   –   You whom my soul loves.

Song of Songs 1:7

It is good to be able, without any “if” or “but,” to say of the Lord Jesus, “You whom my soul loves.” Many can only say of Jesus that they hope they love Him; they trust they love Him; but only a poor and shallow experience will be content to stay here. No one ought to give any rest to his spirit until he feels quite sure about a matter of such vital importance. We should not be satisfied with a superficial hope that Jesus loves us and with a bare trust that we love Him. The old saints did not generally speak with “buts” and “ifs” and “hopes” and “trusts,” but they spoke positively and plainly. “I know whom I have believed,”1 said Paul. “I know that my Redeemer lives,”2 said Job. Get definite knowledge of your love for Jesus, and do not be satisfied until you can speak of your interest in Him as a reality-a reality that you have made sure of by receiving the witness of the Holy Spirit and His seal upon your soul by faith.

True love for Christ is in every case the Holy Spirit’s work and must be accomplished in the heart by Him. He is the efficient cause of it; but the logical reason why we love Jesus lies in Himself. Why do we love Jesus? Because He first loved us. Why do we love Jesus? Because He gave Himself for us. We have life through His death; we have peace through His blood. Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor. Why do we love Jesus? Because of the excellency of His person. We are filled with a sense of His beauty, an admiration of His graces, a consciousness of His infinite perfection. His greatness, goodness, and loveliness, in one resplendent ray, combine to enchant the soul till it is so delighted that it exclaims, yes, He is “altogether lovely.”3 This is a blessed love that binds the heart with chains softer than silk, and yet stronger than steel!

12 Timothy 1:12

2Job 19:25

3Song of Solomon 5:15, KJV

September 3, 2011

1 Samuel 27 | 1 Corinthians 8