❝My Father worketh hitherto and I work❞

[GospelS]

Hey there,

This thread is to discuss how we all glorify God in what we do for a living. Share how your career/occupation helps you to draw close to Him. Here we go praising Him through our talents and work. Do you see your work as an opportunity to serve God?

I'm a Clinical Researcher and Pharmacovigilance Scientist by profession. I have been learning and doing this for the past 12 years ever since I graduated at 20. As a kid, I was fascinated by life at its core- trees, animals, birds, humans, fishes..etc. I wondered how God designed life, what's inside a leaf, how do flowers turn into fruits..etc. So captivated by it all. Obviously, I always scored high in biology/life sciences.

God is life. I got to study and understand His image and will at the cellular level of every living organism. I see Him in the tiniest structures that are not visible to the naked eye. As His image-bearers, we are also trinity within ourselves. He is in the smallest details controlling all things. It's so mysterious and beautiful. There's a whole colorful universe within. It gives me a myriad of feelings in body and soul that I can never put into words. It's a dangerous thing to see Him up close in this way. It's a gift. It's not something a human can see unless they have His grace and come with a pure heart, mind, body, and soul that is acceptable in His sight. I read Him in everything that has life, in every chemical. It’s His own writing. It’s Him. I'm very grateful for the insight that I keep gaining from what He allows me to see of Him.

Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. “For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2

 

[Norbert L]

God is like the automotive restoration trade. Take an old rusted out vehicle that's dead in storage and turn it brand spanking new which includes options that were neither available or even dreamed about when it originally drove the roads.

 

[dzheremi]

I was taught as a child that all of our talents are to the glory of God. He gave them all to us, so all of our labors are in His name.

I am a linguist in my 'off board' life, which has afforded me quite a number of unique opportunities for my faith and my work to come together. I did my master's graduate thesis on the modern use of the Coptic language in the Church, for instance, so I got to go to a monastery for almost two weeks and claim it was 'work', which it was (e.g., recording the services, interviewing people, doing background research, etc.), but when your 'work' involves that much participation in the prayers and liturgy of the Church, it is obviously the best work anyone can do.

 

[GospelS]

I was taught as a child that all of our talents are to the glory of God. He gave them all to us, so all of our labors are in His name.

I am a linguist in my 'off board' life, which has afforded me quite a number of unique opportunities for my faith and my work to come together. I did my master's graduate thesis on the modern use of the Coptic language in the Church, for instance, so I got to go to a monastery for almost two weeks and claim it was 'work', which it was (e.g., recording the services, interviewing people, doing background research, etc.), but when your 'work' involves that much participation in the prayers and liturgy of the Church, it is obviously the best work anyone can do.

That's awesome. Blessed be the name of the Lord who has blessed you with such work. May the Lord enrich your heart, your hands, and your feet as you go about doing His business. Thanks for sharing.

 

[GospelS]

10 Key Points About Work in the Bible

The Bible makes it clear that work matters to God. No matter what your profession or occupation – whether you’re a parent, a bus driver, an artist, or an engineer – God cares about your work. Here are ten key points about work drawn from the Bible. They provide a practical foundation for Christians asking what the Bible says about how we should approach our work.

1) Work is part of God’s big picture. God created all things and He has revealed that, in His sovereignty, He is progressing created order through a process of Creation, Fall, and Redemption. God’s created order started with the perfect garden (Garden of Eden) and will be consummated in the perfect city (New Jerusalem).

2) Our actual work matters to God, now and eternally. God has chosen to create men and women in His image to, among other things, work and tend this created order for His glory and for the betterment of humankind. In ways we can’t fully understand, the good work we do now, done with and for Him, will survive into the New Jerusalem. Work itself has intrinsic value.

3) God provides us with unique skills, gifts and talents, and calls us to particular roles and activities. Although the roles might have apparent differences in importance, our callings are equal. They are a spiritual calling. There are no second-class callings from God. We will be worthy of this calling if we are devoted in our relationship with Him and look to Him only for leadership and strength.

4) Quality, character, and ethics are foundational for our work. We are responsible not only for the quality of our work, but also for our faithfulness to God in the way we pursue that work, and for our own good character while working. We will be judged and rewarded accordingly. However, God is ultimately responsible for the outcome and impact of our work.

5) Our work is yoked with Christ. We should work as if yoked to Jesus Christ. The “foundation of His throne is Righteousness and Justice, with Love and Faithfulness going before Him.” Our work, and the decisions we make, should be based on these principles: aligned with God’s moral standards, always concerned with the fair treatment of others, and with a clear expression of Christ’s love for all people.

6) Our work should be centered on service to others. From the products and services we provide, to providing fair financial rewards, and providing opportunities for others to exercise their gifts and talents. Our work is an opportunity to seek the peace and well-being of our organizations, cities, and nations. Humility and gratitude should be the hallmark of our character. We should always acknowledge God in our work and consider that being an ambassador for Him is a weighty, but honored, responsibility.

7) A rhythm of work and rest is essential to life. God invites us into a deliberate pattern of regular rest. These periods of rest are intended to be restorative and are also opportunities to intentionally take time to consider Christ and our relationship with Him.

8) The use of wealth and our investments should be directed by God. We should allow God to direct the use of all that He has provided through our work for the betterment of others and the furthering of His kingdom. These provisions include our gifts, time, financial capability, and influence.

9) God's work multiplies through relationships and through the local church: We need to be in a relationship with other followers of Christ to provide support and accountability. We should look for mentors and look to mentor others. We should commit to our local church body and help to bring the world of work into the church and the church into the world of work.

10) Work is a gift from God. We should always acknowledge that work is a gift from God, as is our ability to be happy in it. Alternatively, labor and achievement that spring from our envy of others is meaningless and will never bring contentment and joy. We look forward to the day when we will work together in perfect harmony in the presence of God in the New Jerusalem.

 

[sampa]

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