Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
“Creating value really transcends making money. Not that money isn’t important. It is. But building up the Kingdom is even more important, and for that we must be Christ for others…To create eternal value, try these ideas:
1. Pray for people. Remember, every individual with whom we come in contact at work is an opportunity. Pray that God will lead their hearts toward Him, and that our humble efforts will be multiplied.
2. Look for opportunities to serve. The spectrum of human need is enormous, and we need to view these needs as opportunities to serve others. Although it seems paradoxical, the times people are often most open to Christ is when they are experiencing the greatest challenges in life. Especially during these times, look for ways to be a means of grace to them.
3. Make small sacrifices. One of the best ways to draw us closer to God is to make small sacrifices that only He knows about. This not only reminds us of our dependence on His grace, but it also helps us to appreciate the trials others face. Forgoing that second cookie at dessert and “offering it up” won’t trouble anyone else, but it becomes a powerful tool in keeping our spirit receptive to God at all times.
4. Be generous. God loves a generous giver, and He can’t be outdone in generosity. Consider using money as one way of investing in others rather than ourselves – This can be an antidote to the rampant materialism that surrounds us. After all, how can worldly trinkets compare to the treasures of heaven?”
Kevin Lowry in Faith at Work: Finding Purpose Beyond the Paycheck (Huntington: Our Sunday Visitor, 2012) chapter 2.
Work is often defined as creating value. As I prepare to lead a retreat this weekend at Camp Spofford (pictured above) on faith and work for a large group of men, part of my aim is to raise their gaze heavenward so they build God’s Kingdom through their work, or so they create eternal value.
When I came across Lowry’s four action steps, I resonated with them. What about you? What if you prayed for your co-workers, looked for opportunities to serve, made small sacrifices, and resolved to be generous? How might they see Christ in and through you?
Lowry puts work in the right perspective: “Not that money isn’t important. It is. But building up the Kingdom is even more important.” As you put your work clothes on and head off to work today, focus not merely on creating value. Think about how God has put you there to create eternal value.