Industriousness | March 1
Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.
… we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more;
that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,
that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
Ephesians 4:28, Colossians 3:23-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12
Father, we know that your desire is that we are fruitful. You have taught us that one of the reasons to accumulate assets is to share them with those in need. Help us know that assets, granted to us by You, make us a custodian, one who administers benefits to others.
Working with enthusiasm and joy is your hope for us. Again Father, help us know that what we do, for and unto men, should be as if we were doing it for You personally. We work and serve, not to our glory, but to Yours. How tempting it is Father to take credit for dispensing Your gifts. Even the gift of love and caring, though free to us, came at a great cost to You. Help us this day to freely give that which we have been given.
In the material sense, most of us lack nothing that we truly need. Help us be spiritually satisfied by Your word and presence and to generously share Your love. In Jesus Holy name, we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project
