“Neither wealth, nor honors, nor vanity can make a man happy during his life on earth, but only attachment to the service of God, when we are fortunate enough to realize that and to carry it out.”
John Baptiste Marie Vianney (c. 380-465) excerpt from a sermon recounted in The Quotable Saint, ed. R.E. Guiley (New York: Visionary Living, 2002) 113.
As followers of Christ our greatest joy comes not from profitable ventures or public accolades but rather knowing that our work, whatever it may be, is done for God.
Vianney notes that not everyone is fortunate to make this connection. May our generous service of God, regardless of the occupations in which we find ourselves, bring glory to Him.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him…Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:17, 23