“What do you do?”
It’s a common question when first getting to know someone. To be fair, it does tell us something about that person. But how we work reveals more about our character and who we are than our title or occupation.
Several years ago Mike Erre brought together some powerful thoughts on the theology of work. Here are some things I came away with:
Work is not a curse but how we are made – In perfect unity, before the fall, Adam and Eve had jobs to do. It was meaningful work - subduing the earth and caring for it. Only after the fall was the ground cursed requiring toil.
Our work is practice for eternity – Our eternity will be spent with meaningful work and purpose in the new heaven and new earth. How we approach our work now is good preparation.
Some of our work may survive – Work that is in line with His purpose and Kingdom will survive into eternity. This blows my mind. Whether it is building the next generation, folding the laundry, preaching, or cheering at little league – we have an opportunity to work with eternal results.
What I do is important if it advances the Kingdom in any way. How I do it is equally important. So if I work for employment, volunteering, or in building a family or community, I want my work to survive.
Each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 1 Corinthians 3:13-14
To hear Mike’s full message (41 minutes) go here. It’s worth it.
