Meaning in Your Daily Work

In his post "Your Job Is a Good Work!" Matt Perman takes a look at Ephesians 2:8-10 and 6:5-8:

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

Matt connects the two verses to show how we can find new meaning in our everyday work (or rather, find the meaning that was always there, but which we may not have appreciated):

Here’s what’s interesting: In 2:10, Paul said that God created us in Christ “for good works.” Now, here in 6:8, he refers to our daily work as “good” (or, as some translations put it, a “good thing”). This is a clear allusion back to 2:10, where Paul spoke of “good works” as part of the purpose for which God created us anew in Christ.

In other words, Paul is referring to our daily work as a “good work.” The things we do in our jobs are not simply neutral things, but rather are among the good works that God prepared beforehand for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). They are not just things we have to do; they are good works that are pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ.

This gives new significance to the things we do every day. It means that when we are answering emails, we aren’t just answering emails–we are doing good works. When we go to meetings, we aren’t just going to meetings–we are doing good works. When we make dinner for the family and put the kids to bed, we aren’t just making dinner and putting the kids to bed–we are doing good works….

The things we do every day take on new meaning when we realize that they aren’t just things we are doing or tasks we are checking off; they are opportunities to benefit others and honor God.

Comments

[Shannon]

This is a magnificent insight into God's will. I am blessed to have encountered this blog and thank you for sharing your discernment with others as well as myself.

May God bless you and your continued works :)

[harpcat]

...as I read this on "their dime" at work.... he he he.

In truth, the office is slow. We are momentarily caught up.