WHY WE WORK

WHY WE WORK

READ:
Ephesians 6:5-9

Not with eyeservice, as
men-pleasers, but as
bondservants of Christ,
doing the will of God from
the heart. -Ephesians 6:6

In the late 1660s, Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to redesign St. Paul's Cathedral in London.  According to legend, one day he visited the construction site of this great edifice and was unrecognized by the workers.  Wren walked about the site, asking several of the men what they were doing.  One worker replied, "I am cutting a piece of stone."  A second worker responded, "I'm earning five shillings two pence a day."  A third, however, had a different perspective:  "I am helping Christopher Wren build a magnificent cathedral to the glory of God."  What a contrast in the attitude and motivation of that worker!

Why we do what we do is extremely important, particularly when it comes to our working lives and careers.  That's why Paul challenged the Ephesians to do their work, "not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men" (Ephesians 6:6-7).

If we do our work merely to earn a paycheck or satisfy a supervisor, we will fall short of the highest motivation-doing our best as evidence of our devotion to God.  So, why do we work?  As that laborer told Wren, we work "to the glory of God." Bill Crowder

Be not always wanting
Some other work to do,
But gratefully perform the task
The Lord has given you. -Anon.
*******************************
No matter who signs your paycheck,
you are really working for God.

INSIGHT
Today's passage is one in a series of instructions to the Ephesians Christians on how they were to manage all their relationships.  In Ephesians 5:19, Paul instructed believers on how to speak to each other.  In the next section, his challenges to husbands and wives (vv.22-33) give us wisdom and insight for our marriages.  Then Paul addressed the dynamics of a proper parent-child relationship (6:1-4).  Today's reading to slaves and masters directed them to honor Christ in their interactions with one another.

Have a blessed day and week ahead.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace