… as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
Summary: Decoding the Bible means being willing to look at things from God’s point of view.
Have you ever wondered what earth looks like from heaven?
I know … It is not really a fair question. It assumes that spiritual beings “see” the same way that physical beings see.
That is not really the way it is, is it?
Parables are like that, too. They look simple at first glance, but then, as we ponder them, we discover hidden meanings that seem to change everything.
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells the story of a landowner who goes out in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. Later in the day, he visits the marketplace again and finds more men doing nothing. He offers them a job, and they accept. Three more times during the day he finds more people willing to work, and he hires them. All of them end up working in his vineyard for a time. (Matthew 20: 1-16).
What kind of work did they do?
Paul writes, “The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose …” (1 Corinthians 3:8) Some plant seeds, and others water the plants. Both the one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose.
What is the purpose?
After talking with the woman at the well (John 4:1-26), she runs off to town to tell the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (John 4:29)
As the people from the village came out to see this person who might be the Messiah, Jesus explains what is happening to his disciples. He says, “My food, … is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34)
So what is this work Jesus wants us to do?
Jesus says, “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life …” (John 4:35-36)
The Lord’s work is to harvest a crop for eternal life. Not everyone sows seeds or waters the fields. Some help harvest the crops, too.
Application: God wants to save others, just as he has saved you.
Food for Thought: Why is working for the Lord so different than working for a human?
Why is working for the Lord so different than working for a human?
All things are the creation of God.
Romans 1:20, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Revelation 4:11
All things are sustained, held together by God,
Hebrews 1:3, Psalm 135:6-7, Colossians 1:17
All are called, believers have been chosen to live, equipped for service for God,
Matthew 28:19-20, James 1:22, Corinthians 12:4-7
God will fully satisfy the desires of the diligent, Proverbs 13:4
God will give eternal strength to the soul of His faithful, John 6:27
God will supply all the needs of those who seek His will first, Matthew 6:33
God will never give His people more than we can handle, He will provide for our every need, He is the source of our strength, happy heart, as He equips each to fully complete every task set before us.
We simply need to ignore the power of our flesh as we seek and receive His spiritual strength to effectively complete every task He has preordained we are to receive, knowing He is our strength.
Thank you, Ron!
Relying on God’s strength does make a difference! 🙂
Because the Lord is good. Because He is holy. Because our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15: 58). Because He is a master worth serving who always does what is right and just. Because we are accomplishing our purpose as we love and serve Him. Because He will never ask us to do anything without meaning or that is evil or deceitful. He is everything earthly bosses (even the best of them) can never be.
Thank you, Rich!
Working for the Lord has true meaning!!