Everyone works hard, right? No matter the religion or culture, there are hard-working people everywhere. But what is their motive?
Most work out of a sense of duty, like a legal obligation. Most are “slaves” in effect, to the boss, the bank, or whoever. But Christians serve as sons and daughters.
For example, my motives are different when I am at my mom’s hanging pictures or moving furniture, than when I am at the office drafting legal documents.
Serving a parent as a son is totally different than working as an employee. Not only is LOVE a motivator, but also there is an INHERITANCE—by serving parents and family, I am serving myself. I am bought-in, fully vested in the family’s investments, the family’s future.
Paul points this out. Everyone else works like a slave. But it’s different for you:
“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” Romans 8:15-17.
THAT is why we serve with JOY, because we serve as part of the family, preparing a holiday meal, for example. We are happy to be together, serving with Christ and our brothers and sisters—and even if we are ALONE, we are not truly alone. We KNOW we are serving alongside the worldwide family of God.
And this keeps us encouraged. We don’t burn out because we operate from a place of love, joy, and even GRATITUDE, thankful for the opportunity.
Walk with Him today, in all you do!
ΑΩ
Household Words: 