Why Do You Work?

Are you satisfied with your work? 

What’s your answer to the reason you work?

Ask your coworkers, friends, and neighbors and they will give slightly different reasons. But, if you ask, “are you satisfied with your work?” you will get a similar answer. 

The overwhelming majority of people are not satisfied with their work. Our work does not create enough flourishing, stability, personal growth, meaningful purpose, community, and satisfaction to fulfill the way we were made. There has to be a better way! 

For centuries, most people's needs could be defined by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, but now most people increasingly expect their work to meet all of them.

"What the whole world wants is a good job… Humans used to desire love, money, food, shelter, safety, peace, and freedom more than anything else… Now people want to have a good job, and they want their children to have a good job. This changes everything for world leaders. Everything they do —  from waging war to building societies —  will need to be carried out within the new context of the need for a good job."  - Gallup Chairman Jim Clifton

Is Work Good Enough? 

People want a good job, but according to Gallop’s latest study on work, 60% of people are not getting what they need from their work. 

“Only 40% of workers in the U.S. hold positions that meet their basic financial needs, where they feel safe and respected can grow their skills, have a voice in decisions that affect them, and exercise some control over their time and work.” - Gallop 

A Better Way to Work  

What if the Source of your life designed work for more — much more — than we typically consider as we go about our work each day?

Jesus said some shocking things about work. He said, 

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” - [.no-reftag]John 6:27[.no-reftag] 

Jesus is pointing to a much more significant reason to work as He invites everyone to follow Him. He said that if you work His way, everything else you need will be thrown in!

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” - [.no-reftag]Matthew 6:33[.no-reftag]

Jesus is offering the most meaningful work possible. And He promises you literally the whole world now and forever. 

Inheriting all of earth and heaven is not something that can be earned. You must receive this blessing beyond definition from God by accepting that you can’t work or live — you are utterly nothing — without Jesus (Matthew 5:3). This is way more than motivation to get up and work every morning. Jesus is asking you to receive the invitation of working — not for Him but, with Him. The opportunity to work with Jesus is worth receiving new every morning. 

Work Matters 

Tim Keller said, “Work matters to God and God matters to work” as he explained what the great reformer Martin Luther taught about work. 

“Martin Luther then thought this out and he said some interesting things, actually some amazing things. Here's one of the things he says, ‘God could easily have given you grain and fruit without plowing and planting but he does not want to do so.'"‍

‘“What else then is all of our work to God whether in the fields, in the garden, in the city, in the house, in war, or in government but such child’s performance by which He wants to give us gifts, therefore, our work. These are the masks of God behind which He wants to remain concealed and do all things.’ He goes on to say, ‘When the farm girl milks the cow to give you milk, that's God milking the cow, that’s God's Way of giving you milk.’ He didn't have to use her, but He does. When the farmer grows it, when the baker bakes it, when the transport transports it, when the grocer sells it, what is that? God doesn't have to do it that way, but He is and what He's actually doing He's loving you through other people's work. He actually goes so far as to say the baker, the farmer, in work is God in disguise. These are the masks of God. God is loving you and distributing His gifts through work. Therefore you really are in the place of God.” 

Incredible Work Is Yours 

The reason to work is the same exact reason to follow Jesus more closely. Everything is offered to you by knowing and following and depending on Jesus. This is true for your work, life and for all of eternity. 

[.text-color-blue]Join us for The Way to Work![.text-color-blue]

Resources: 

Article: Start With Why | Howard Graham 

Article: A Good Job For Life | Howard Graham 

Video: Why Work Matters | Tim Keller