Thursday, August 31, 2017
Galatians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God ... Ecclesiastes 5:19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God.
FAITH REJOICES IN THE GIFT OF WORK
Faith in Jesus the Savior is the gift from God through which we receive the gifts of forgiveness of sin and Christ's own righteousness-- and along with them, eternal life.
Similarly, the ability to work is a gift of God through which we receive other gifts. Among these are the blessings of bodily provision and the personal satisfaction that comes with a job well done. Note that whether the gift is physical or spiritual, we rob ourselves of joy and blessing when we do not give thanks to God for His benefits and instead act as though we have earned or deserved what comes from His gracious hand.
When it comes to faith in Christ there are plenty of people encouraging us to think that we are the source of that faith; that we by an act of the will make a decision to believe in the Savior. We resist such encouragements to wrong thinking with the word of our God. When we do this we find that the truth about faith enhances our ability to live as Christ's people.
There are also many who would have us see work only as a means to make money, and to think that somehow we ourselves are the source of our talents and abilities. Here also we resist false and ungodly attitudes with with the word of our gracious God. And here it is also true that right-thinking about work enhances our ability to joyfully live as Christ's people. When we remember that our gifts and abilities come from God, in faith we can rejoice in using the gifts he has given us rather than looking with envy on those He has given others.
So look again at the two passages with which we began this meditation. With joyful heart give thanks that God has given you the gift of faith in Christ our Lord-- and the gift of work as well. Then let your work be an extension of your faith and an act of thanksgiving to your Savior-God.
