Wednesday, September 2, 2015

September 3, 2015

Some of us remember the old country western classic, “Take This Job and Shove It” sung by Johnny Paycheck. A few years later during a recession of the early 1980’s, I heard someone say that the new version of the song had been changed to say, “Shove That Job – I’ll Take It!”

This morning I have entitled this thought,  “Take This Job And Love it”.

Two factory workers are talking. The woman says, "I can make the boss give me the day off." The man replies, "And how would you do that?" The woman says, "Just wait and see." She then hangs upside down from the ceiling. The boss comes in and says, "What are you doing?" The woman replies, "I'm a light bulb." The boss then says, "You've been working so much that you've gone crazy. I think you need to take the day off." The man starts to follow her and the boss says, "Where are you going?" The man says, "I'm going home, too. I can't work in the dark."

What is your attitude toward your job?

What should it be?

“This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.”  Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

You should love your job as a blessing!

A husband and his wife woke up one Sunday morning and the wife dressed for church. It was just about time for the service when she noticed her husband hadn’t moved a finger toward getting dressed. Perplexed, she asked, “Why aren’t you getting dressed for church?” He said, “Cause I don’t want to go.” She asked, “Do you have any reasons?” He said, “Yes, I have three good reasons. First the congregation is cold. Second, no one likes me. And third, I just don’t want to go.” The wife replied, wisely, “Well honey, I have three reasons why you should go. First the congregation is warm. Second, there are a few people there who like you. And third, you’re the pastor! So get dressed!”

Here are some sobering facts that may remind you to love the fact you have a job.

The number of Americans 16 years and older who did not participate in the labor force meaning they neither had a job nor actively sought one in the last four weeks--rose from 92,898,000 in February to 93,175,000 in March, according to data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

That is the first time the number of Americans out of the labor force has exceeded 93 million.

Also from February to March, the labor force participation rate dropped from 62.8 percent to 62.7 percent, matching a 37-year low.

Five times in the last twelve months, the participation rate has been as low as 62.8 percent; but March’s 62.7 percent, which matches the participation rate seen in September and December of 2014, is the lowest since February of 1978.

Consider this, God blesses work!

God created work! The first time you see God in the Bible He is working! I'm sure you've heard of creation!

The first thing He did with Adam was to put him to work tending Eden.

Have you ever thought of that?

That makes quite a statement about the importance and the sanctity of work!

Work is honorable so why not honor God through the work He has given you to do?

How will you honor Him in the workplace this week?

Also consider this, work blesses you!

There is a great deal of satisfaction and security in being able to provide for yourself and your family. 

When God put Adam to work in the Garden he blessed him and blessed the work he did.

I'm sure there are days your job seems more like a curse than a blessing but imagine life without a job.

Also consider, work allows you to bless others.

One of the most spiritual and godly things you can do after providing for your family is to help others in need.

We do that well at FredWes! We teach tithing and we honor stewardship. We see ourselves as pipelines of Gods blessings not buckets that hoard them.

Ronald Reagan was famous for saying, “The man who does what he loves will never work another day in his life”.

And if you don't get to do what you love, God can help you love what you do! 

DO YOU SEE YOUR JOB AS A BLESSING – OR A BURDEN?