Give Your Work Meaning
The Meaning We Give Our Work Determines the Attitude We Have About It, Which Affects the Quality and Excellence We Bring to Our Work, And That Affects How God Can Use Us.
Workmatters | YouVersion
The Meaning of Our Work is Our Choice
Most of us will spend about 50 percent of our adult life at work.
We want to know our work has meaning – that our work matters.
But stress, demands and adversity can cause us to see work as hard – something to get through.
This message will help you recognize the power you have to choose a positive meaning for your work that is rooted in faith.
Give Your Work Meaning.
In Genesis 37:5-7 and 9, Joseph had dreams of a great calling God put on his life.
He dreamt he would be in a position of power so that even his own family members would bow down to him.
His brothers became jealous and wanted to get rid of their younger brother.
When they were far from home and Joseph came out alone to check up on them, they grabbed the opportunity and sold him into slavery.
You could say, Joseph experienced a major detour.
Give Your Work Meaning.
Genesis 37:5-9 KJV
[5] And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
[6] And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:
[7] for, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
[8] And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
[9] And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
Joseph was forced to work as a slave in a foreign land where the people had no regard for God,
but they couldn’t take away his freedom to choose his attitude toward his work.
Joseph didn’t let his role define him.
Although his boss was Potiphar, Joseph chose to serve God and do his work with excellence.
As a result, God gave Joseph success in everything he did,
and Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything he owned.
We all have dreams of the work we want to do.
Perhaps the work you’re doing is a far cry from the dreams you’ve had.
No matter what, we all choose – consciously or unconsciously – what our work means to us.
The meaning we give our work determines the attitude we have about it,
which affects the quality and excellence we bring to our work, and that affects how God can use us.
We have the freedom to choose a positive meaning for our work.
When we do, we are more likely to not only do our work well, but also allow others to see Christ in us.
Ultimately, our identity is in Christ, not our work.
Ask God to show you His meaning for your work in His kingdom.
Give Your Work Meaning.
Father God, help me to see my work through Your eyes today.
Help me to remember that You use all work that I do with excellence out of my love for You to show Christ’s love to others.
May those I work with see Christ in me today.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Choosing God’s Meaning For Work
All too often, Christians have the misconception that the only work that matters to God is the work of pastors, missionaries, and non-profits.
The danger is that we judge other work as being insignificant, which can have a negative impact on our attitude and motivation.
The fact is, all work matters to God.
God wants us to partner with Him in whatever work we do to serve others and accomplish His purposes.
Joseph understood this, even in his greatest trials.
Joseph didn’t develop a bad attitude, even when his circumstances went from bad to worse.
He didn’t just get by because the work he had to do was clearly not his ultimate calling.
Joseph knew who he was really working for – God.
As a result, Genesis 39 tells us that “the Lord was with Joseph” four times (Gen 39:2, 3, 21, 23).
Give Your Work Meaning.
When Potiphar’s wife kept approaching Joseph, he said “my master has no concern about anything in his house. […] How can I … sin against God?”
Joseph recognized that his success came from God, and he needed to honor God without fail.
Although Joseph chose to do what was right, he was wrongfully accused, fired from his job, and thrown in prison.
Even in the midst of unfair circumstances, Joseph never stopped honoring God and serving those around him.
Once again, God gave him favor with the prison warden.
We’re going to experience unfair circumstances at work, just as Joseph did.
We need to guard against developing a negative attitude toward our work when things go wrong.
Jesus told us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
We need to continually abide in Christ in all circumstances, and the work we do will bear much fruit (John 15:5).
What can you do to see your work through God’s eyes today?
Give Your Work Meaning.
Father God, thank you for the work you have given me.
Thank you for granting me success.
Help me to abide in You at all times so that I can serve others with excellence in all circumstances, even when things aren’t going my way. Help me to stay focused on Jesus.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Colossians 3:23-24 KJV
[23] and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; [24] knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Relying On God At Work At All Times
Who we are doing our work for matters and can affect the meaning we give to our work.
If we respect the people we work with and feel positively about our organization, we are more likely to want to do our best.
But when we’ve been mistreated, or have issues with people at work, it’s easy to become discouraged, frustrated and even angry.
Our judgment of people can have a negative impact on our motivation to do our best work.
Joseph had every reason to be angry and bitter. He was thrown in prison for something he didn’t do.
Yet, Joseph continued to rely on God and served the warden with excellence.
Because of that, he was put in charge of all of the prisoners.
When the baker and the cupbearer, who had been sent there, appeared upset, Joseph showed his concern.
He listened to them describe their disturbing dreams and provided the interpretation that God showed him.
His kindness led the cupbearer to recommend Joseph to Pharaoh after Pharaoh had a disturbing dream that no one could interpret.
Even then, Joseph did not try to make himself look good.
He told Pharaoh that no one can interpret dreams but God. Then he provided the interpretation God gave him.
Because Joseph was faithful in prison, God put him over all of Egypt (Luke 16:10).
God was with Joseph all along, preparing him, giving him wisdom and orchestrating the circumstances to fulfill His purposes.
If our motivation to do our best is influenced by the behaviors of others, our commitment to give our best effort will fluctuate.
But what if you always relied on God in your work?
Doing our work for God empowers us to consistently produce excellent results.
How can you increase your reliance on God at work today?
Give Your Work Meaning.
Father, forgive me for the times I allow my judgment of others to impact my attitude toward my work negatively.
Increase my faith that you will use all the work I do to honor you for good. Work in my heart so I can maintain a positive attitude.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Luke 16:10-12 KJV
[10] He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
[11] If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
[12] And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.16.10-12.KJV
God Uses Our Work For His Purposes
After many years of trials, Joseph’s dreams came to fruition.
Not only did Pharaoh entrust the operations of all of Egypt to Joseph,
his brothers came to him seeking food when the famine hit and they bowed down to their brother,
although they didn’t know it was him right away.
God intended all along to use the seven years of abundance and seven years of famine to lead His people to Egypt where they would take refuge.
God used the circumstances to prepare Joseph to bring His plan about.
When Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers were fearful that he would finally take his revenge.
But Joseph remained focused on God’s purposes and responded,
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good […] the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).
Joseph only got to see a small portion of how he fit into God’s bigger plan that we can see today.
One day, Joseph will see just how many lives he contributed to saving.
Give Your Work Meaning.
James 1:2-3 tells us,
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
When we are faithful through difficulties, we open the door for God to do amazing things through us.
It’s important to trust that God can and will use our work to build character, strengthen us, and ultimately produce results we could never have achieved otherwise.
When we remain focused on Christ, we can have confidence that God is using our work in bigger ways than we can imagine.
We may even see glimpses of how God is using our work in the bigger picture, as Joseph did.
One day, all of us will get to see the part our faithfulness played in God’s plan.
Challenge yourself to allow God to refine you through difficult circumstances and elevate the meaning of your work for His purpose and His glory.
Give Your Work Meaning
Father God, I know that you are always at work in and through my life.
Help me to keep an eternal perspective on the work I do each day.
Increase my faith. Give me wisdom in my work so that everything I do can be used for Your purposes.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV
[6] Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them:
for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
https://bible.com/bible/1/deu.31.6.KJV
Also Read: The Hidden Hypocrites! – Diademng (thediademng.org)
Give Your Work Meaning
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