...He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him...(Heb. 6:10)

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” (Acts 20:35)

John Ortberg writes about work that it is a form of love. He writes, “All skill is God-given, and we are invited to live in conscious interaction with the Spirit as we work, so that he can develop the skills he gives us.” [1]

We enter the flow of the spirit in our work when “we connect with a reality beyond ourselves and partner with God.” We become more fully human as we are creating value through our work. And God uses our work situations to form and shape us as he created us. As Ortberg notes, our work matters to God. [2]

Work is something we are expected to participate in. Deuteronomy 5:13 says, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work...” Ortberg quotes Dorothy Sayers who states, work “is, or it should be, the full expression of the worker's faculties, the thing in which he finds spiritual, mental, and bodily satisfaction, and the medium in which he offers himself to God.” [3]

Work can be more than that which we do to earn our income. Work is often refered to as one's ministry before God. [4] It provides both for a means to worship and glorify God as well as a means for contributing /adding value to the lives of others. Paul, by trade was a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). This work benefited him and others while it helped support him in the work he was incredibly passionate about, his work in the ministry in spreading the gospel.

In Acts 20:33 he said, "I have never asked anyone for money or clothes; you know for yourselves that the work I did earned enough to meet my needs and those of my companions."

In all Paul's labors, he was demonstrating a model of living and working that was setting an example for others to follow. In Acts 20:35, commentary notes that Apostle Paul was saying goodbye and “addressing the leaders of the next spiritual generation,” giving “his past as a model for the Ephesian elders' future work.” [5]

Paul said to the elders of Ephesus, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:18-21)

“Gotta live like were dying... gotta tell them that we love them while we still have a chance to say” sings in the background.

Paul performed his work with humility and a servants heart.

He was not looking for what he could gain but what he could give. Commentary notes “Paul reminds them of the model life he has lived as he served the Lord. The term Paul uses (douleuo) points to the slave-master relationship (Judg 10:16; 1 Sam 12:20; Lk 16:13). Paul's allegiance to his Lord determined the conduct of his ministry. His leadership was servant leadership, the humility of a lowly mind (22:25-27; Eph 4:2).” [6]

In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul tells the church, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." Paul imitated Christ in his labors, setting a model for others to follow.

Jesus Himself, immitated the Father. In John 5:19-20 Jesus says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.” [7]

Andrew Murray writes that Jesus was just as humble in His fellowship with men as with the Father. He notes, “He considered himself to be the servant of men, so that through Him the Father might do His work of love. He never for a moment thought of seeking His own honor or asserting His power to vindicate Himself. His whole spirit was that of a life yielded to God so that God might work in it.” [8]

Andrew Murray writes about Jesus as He humbled Himself before men and was the servant of all, “His humility was simply the surrender of Himself to God, to allow the Father to do in Him what He pleased, no matter what men around might say of Him or do to Him.” [9]

Andrew Murray writes that the root and nature of true humility is that of self-denial, being an empty vessel for God to fill, yielding to Him “in perfect resignation and dependence, in full consent to be and do nothing of ourselves. This is the life Christ came to reveal and impart -a life in God that comes through death to sin and self.” [10]

The character of a faithful servant or slave implies devotion to the masters interests, thoughtful study and care to please him, as well as delight in his honor, according to Murray. He notes that “His service is our highest liberty -the liberty from sin and self.” We are serving Christ as we serve our fellow brother or sister. As Murray writes, “It is in our relationship to one another, in our treatment of one another, that true lowliness of mind and humility of heart are to be seen.” [11]

The opposite of lowliness of mind and humility is pride. C.J. Mahaney writes that “Pride takes innumerable forms but has only one end: self-glorification. That's the motive and ultimate purpose of pride -to rob God of legitimate glory and to pursue self-glorification, contending for supremacy with Him.” [12]

C.J. Mahaney mentions James and John as an example who had their mother ask Jesus if they could sit on his right and on his life. Jesus responded by asking them, "You don't know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?" (Mark 10:38, NLT). [13]

Eventually, James and John did drink from His cup as he mentioned, but it was not in proud self-sufficiency but rather in broken, humble service. Mahaney notes, “they would be transformed as well, from self-confident men into humble servants who would live to serve others with the gospel for the glory of God. And they would suffer.” [14]

The humility comes as we embrace death to self. We commit ourselves into the hands of God and descend each day into dependence upon Him. [15] Murray writes, “Accept every humiliation, look upon every person who tries your patience or irritates you as a means of grace to humble you. Use every opportunity of humbling yourself before your fellowmen as a help to remain humble before God.” [16]

Paul says in Philippians 2:3-8, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had: Who, being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death -even death on a cross!”

“God bless the broken road that led me straight to You” sings in the background.

As we humble ourselves and empty ourselves of earthly desires, we enter deeper into fellowship with Christ. In Isaiah 57:15 it says, “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.”

And it is in this place of dwelling with Christ in humility that we bear fruit in our work. Jesus says in John 15:7-9, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”

“I want to make much of You Jesus, I want to make much of Your love... I want to make much of Your mercy, I want to make much of Your cross...” sings in the background.

Paul performed his work with passion.

Paul says in Romans 12:11, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Paul had passion about his work serving the body of Christ. He was unashamed to tell the leaders at Ephesus that it was with tears he labored with Christ. Commentary notes about Paul, “His involvement was intensely personal, for he shed the tears of a tender heart, sorrowing over rejections of the gospel without the church and resistance to its full work within the church (Acts 20:31; 2 Cor 2:4).” [17]

Even in chains, Paul continued to carry this passion. He wrote to the church in Philippi, in Philippians 1:19-21, “Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

In the same way, we are to be fully alive in our work to the passions of our heart. Our work is to be an expression of our hearts. Ortberg notes that we are accountable, not only for our families but also for our work. He writes, “When we discover the gifts God has given us and the passions that engage us, and we put them to work in the service of values we deeply believe in -in conscious dependence on God- then we are working in the Spirit.” [18]

When we are putting our hands to what our hearts prompt and doing our work according to God's purposes, we come fully alive in Christ. Ortberg writes, “Your deepest longing should be to be alive with God, to become the person God made you to be, and to be used to help God's world flourish.” [19]

Mark Sanborne writes that “it is possible to love the work we perform, love the people we work with, and love the people we ultimately serve.... Our lives and work are marked by love when we seek to give instead of receive, focus on how we do something rather than just doing it, see a task as a privilege rather than an obligation, make relationships a priority, and move beyond simple action to the accompanying emotions.”[20]

Work is meant to be significant. However, as Ortberg notes, “We are the ones who make our work significant -not the other way around.” [21] Jesus going to the cross was significant because of why He did it, how He did it, and the ultimate outcome. Others had went to the cross before Him and after him. Behind his work was a tremendous amount of love. This is what made the event so significant. When we love others through our work, it becomes significant in changing people's lives.

In John 15:12-13, Jesus says, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” It is in sacrificing and laying down our desires, wants, and self glory, as we become servants of others for their gain and benefit, that our work becomes significant.

As long as our work remains about filling us and meeting our needs and desires, it will lack significance and leave us in want. Sometimes, feeling in want, one can seek to work to try to get others to love and appreciate them. In this case, love has a hook in it and it is really about meeting the needs of the person working for it rather them rather than freely loving and giving themselves to others. It fails to bear fruit. John 12:24 says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

One way of impacting other's lives in love, as Ortberg mentions, is helping people discover their strengths. He writes that when we help others discover their strengths, we “are helping the image of God to be restored in another human being.” When we do this, he notes, “You are part of the work of redemption -the liberating of work from the curse. You are doing the work of the Spirit.” [22]

Mark Sanborn lists several ways we can practice love at the workplace:

• Patience: “Love is choosing to accept someone-imperfections, weaknesses, demands, and all-no matter his or her circumstances or needs.” [23]
  
• Recognition: “Love is paying attention. We don't ignore that which we love, whether a person or an activity. Focus equals fondness.” [24]
  
• Appreciation: “Appreciation comes from looking for what's right rather than being hypersensitive to what's wrong. It is about choosing to focus on the positive even when you can't ignore the negative." [25]
  
• Counsel: “Love is offering wise and insightful advice that is in the best interest of the receiver rather than the giver. When asked, it is easy to criticize or suggest the first thought that comes to mind, no matter its validity. A thoughtful input or response shows that we value the individual and care about his or her need.” [26]
  
• Time: “Love is taking time to address another's needs.” [27]
  
• Instruction: “Love is teaching someone else with gentleness, discernment, and selflessness.” [28]
  
• Compassion: “True compassion requires us to be vulnerable and to admit our own struggles even as we offer empathy and support to others.” [29]
  
• Encouragement: “Love is offering heartfelt words of affirmation, inspiration, and motivation to our customers and coworkers.” [30]
  
• Service: “Love is serving others without expecting anything in return.” [31]

Whenever we are partnering with God and his kingdom, in alignment with His Spirit in activities that sacrifice self to contribute to the lives of others around us, we are doing the work of the Spirit and loving others through our work.

Paul performed his work without hesitation.

Because Paul was passionate about what He was doing and why He was doing it, Paul enduring severe testing and held back nothing from those he served that would be to their benefit. Commentary notes, “His was the steadfast endurance of a tough skin in the face of trials (NIV severely tested [peirasmos: "trial," "test," "temptation"], Lk 22:28) from plots of the Jews (Acts 9:24; 20:3; compare 19:33-34). [32]

Ortberg notes that trials and crisis carry with the question, “What can I build my life on that circumstances cannot rob me of? What really matters?” Adversity helps us to see what is important. [33]

As Orberg notes, adversity can cause us to grow. However, it is how we deal with the difficulty that determines if we grow from it. He notes that “Rising to a challenge reveals abilities hidden within you (and behind you!) that would otherwise have remained dormant.” [34]

Ortberg states that God isn't at work producing the circumstances we want. He is at work in our circumstances producing the “us” he wants. God shapes our circumstances to form us to be fully who He calls us to be. [35]

“And if our God is for us, then who can ever stop us. And if our God is with us, then what could stand against us” sings in the background.

Hebrews 10:38 says, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."

Sometimes in difficult circumstances we want to give up, quit and walk away. However, as Ortberg notes, “when you don't -when you show up, when you offer the best you have-something good is happening inside you that far outweighs what is happening outside you.” [36]

Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

When one goes through adversity, people's motives, commitment and loyalty to us become evident.

Paul experienced being deserted by friends near the end of his life. He wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:9-10, “Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.” He writes a little later in 2 Timothy 4:16 that under persecution, no one stood with him, but all deserted him.

Ortberg also notes that adversity changes ones priorities about what really matters. He writes, “Suffering enables us to see the folly of chasing after temporal gods, and when people suffer, they often resolve to change their lives. [37]

Ortberg goes on to note that it is in adversity, that relationships are sometimes deepened. He notes that suffering and grief can soften hearts and deepen friendships in a unique way. He writes, “Love meets in shared suffering and broken souls like no other kind of love.” [38]

Finally, Ortberg notes that adversity points us to the Hope we have in Christ. [39] Without some adversity, our faith will not stretch. Faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

As we go through adversity, we learn that we can really trust God is always good and “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

In fact, according to Ortberg, we should look for challenges in life. He notes, “It is in working to solve problems and overcome challenges that we become the person God wants us to be. Every problem is an invitation from the Spirit...” [40]

He writes, “So don't ask for comfort. Don't ask for ease. Don't ask for manageability. Ask to be given a burden for a challenge bigger than yourself -one that can make a difference in the world, one that will require the best you have to give it and then leave some space for God besides. Ask for a task that will keep you learning and growing and uncomfortable and hungry.” [41]

Ortberg mentions Caleb as an example who, at eighty five years old, was still looking for the next challenge. Caleb told Joshua,

“So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourselves heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” (Joshua 14:11-12). [42]

Ortberg goes on to write, “God has wired us so that our bodies, minds, and spirits require challenge, and we flourish especially when we face challenges for a cause greater than ourselves. We experience the flow of the Spirit most deeply when we focus on challenges that enrich the community and when we cease to be preoccupied with our own advancement.” [43]

Lord, I long to follow You more closely. Please forgive me where I have failed to bring you glory in the way I work. Fill us with your purpose, passion, and commitment. We long to 'love You with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength and with all our mind'; and, to 'love our neighbor as yourself'' in all we work at. Show us how, like Paul to labor with all our hearts to bring you glory. Let our work be about You.

Let work not be a drudgery but open our eyes to the opportunities You have provided. And help us not to get caught in pride, complacency, or self-sufficency as we labor with You.

1-3. Ortberg, John. The Me I Want to Be. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI. 2010

4. Calamaio, Robin. Work and the Bible. Located at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/2353627/Work-and-the-Bible. Last Accessed: 6/22/10

5-6. Commentary on Acts 20:35. Located at: http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Acts/Jerusalem-Miletus Last Accessed: 6/22/10.

7. Forerunner Commentary. Imitating Christ. Located at: http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm//fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/1609/Imitating-Christ.htm#ixzz0rR6cvlqy Last Accessed: 6/22/10

8-11. Murray, Andrew. Humility. Whitaker House. New Kensington, PA. 1982.


12-15. Mahaney, C.J. Humility: True Greatness. Multnomah Books, Colorado Springs, CO. 2005.

16. Murray, Andrew. Humility. Whitaker House. New Kensington, PA. 1982.

17. Commentary on Acts 20:35. Located at: http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Acts/Jerusalem-Miletus Last Accessed: 6/22/10.


18-19. Ortberg, John. The Me I Want to Be. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI. 2010.


20. Sanborn, Mark, CSP, CPAE. The Four-Letter Word that Makes You and Your Work Irresistible. Located at: http://www.giantimpact.com/articles/read/the_four-letter_word_that_makes_you_and_your_work_irresistible/ Last Accessed: 6/22/10.

21-22. Ortberg, John. The Me I Want to Be. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI. 2010.

23-31. Sanborn, Mark, CSP, CPAE. The Four-Letter Word that Makes You and Your Work Irresistible. Located at: http://www.giantimpact.com/articles/read/the_four-letter_word_that_makes_you_and_your_work_irresistible/ Last Accessed: 6/22/10.

32. 17. Commentary on Acts 20:35. Located at: http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Acts/Jerusalem-Miletus Last Accessed: 6/22/10.

33-43. Ortberg, John. The Me I Want to Be. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI. 2010.