Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
King James Version
9 Two are better than one;
because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow:
but woe to him that is alone when he falleth;
for he hath not another to help him up.
What is the job you do?
How important is your job?
What is its purpose in this world?
Are you happy with it?
Do you find a need for it?
Or could you be doing something better?
Consider the following conversation.
Cop talking to a lawyer:
Deputy Chief John P. Hildebrand:
"How can we do a good job and keep everybody happy?
Woodrow Wilson King:
"If everybody were happy you wouldn't have a job."
-- Pendulum I American Crime Thriller Film 1969
So, that's what a cop's job is.
To keep people safe, and happy.
He exists to keep law, and order.
Take away crime, and chaos, and he'd be out of a job.
Of course, ideally there'd be peace and safety.
But that would mean we wouldn't need cops.
In this world, we do.
A hairdresser exists because of "bad-hair" days.
A lawyer exists to keep you out of legal trouble.
A doctor exists to keep people healthy.
A nurse exists to assist the doctor, and patient.
A CEO exists to keep the company running.
A professor exists to teach his students.
A minister exists to guard people's spiritual welfare.
A president exists to head his nation to peace, productivity, and prosperity.
A government exists to govern us all.
A restaurant exists for celebrations, and fine dining.
A hotel exists to provide accommodation when you're away from home.
A prison exists to keep criminals locked up.
On, and on, the list goes.
People work for a purpose.
To know the value of your job, address it simply:
What is it you do?
What is its value?
Does it give happiness to people?
Does it make them feel safe?
Does it protect them?
Are you proud of the job you do?
Are you paid fairly?
Is it something you're cut out for?
Is your job useful, or redundant?
Does it terrorize people?
Most want to do work that honors us, and others.
GOD gave all of us talents which we need to use.
Not to do so is detriment to our spirit.
Here's JESUS' parable on "talents":
Matthew 25:14-30
King James Version
14 For the kingdom of heaven
is as a man travelling into a far country,
who called his own servants,
and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents*,
to another two,
and to another one;
to every man according to his several ability;
and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents
went and traded with the same,
and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two,
he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one
went and digged in the earth,
and hid his lord's money.
19 After a long time
the lord of those servants cometh,
and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents
came and brought other five talents, saying,
Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents:
behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him,
Well done, thou good and faithful servant:
thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will make thee ruler over many things:
enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents
came and said,
Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents:
behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him,
Well done, good and faithful servant;
thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will make thee ruler over many things:
enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent
came and said,
Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man,
reaping where thou hast not sown,
and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid,
and went and hid thy talent in the earth:
lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him,
Thou wicked and slothful servant,
thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not,
and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore
to have put my money to the exchangers,
and then at my coming I should have received
mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him,
and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given,
and he shall have abundance:
but from him that hath not
shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant
into outer darkness:
there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
*NOTE: "a talent was worth about 6,000 denarii, or twenty years’ wages for a laborer"
Whether we are given talent, in form, or cash, it must serve GOD first.
For a born again, work means "service".
We follow JESUS' commands, which are in Scripture.
The LORD teaches us how to serve others well.
In all usefulness, and humility.
In accordance to GOD's will.
It's always serving GOD, above all.
Galatians 1:10
King James Version
10 For do I now persuade men, or God?
or do I seek to please men?
for if I yet pleased men,
I should not be the servant of Christ.
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