Taking It to Work:
Our Father in heaven is pleased to see His reflection in us. That reflection is not just one of love, grace and mercy, but one of inner strength. When we look at the life of Jesus, we remember the stories of His love, grace and mercy, and we also remember the great stand against Satan in the desert. But here is something we don’t often ponder – this was not His only time of temptation.
Jesus was one hundred percent sinless. Think of the everyday temptations that He must have faced, and resisted to stay that way, little temptations just like we face. Maybe He was tempted to leave work a little bit earlier than He should. After all, it’s a family business, and Dad (Joseph in this case) maybe wasn’t back from the mill yet. How about secretly skipping out on that last coat of lacquer, since the fumes and heat were getting to Him that day? Or maybe the temptation to return rudeness back to that Nazarene customer who was just so rude to Him. Little sins . . . some maybe partially justified . . . some easy to get away with, but not for Jesus, and not for us either.
A true Godly character, a true reflection of our Lord, can stand up to the little temptations of the day as well as the big ones. We all know it’s easy to quit a little early, fudge a timecard, or be on our phones a bit too much on company time. Sometimes it seems so small that we don’t even realize were sinning at all.
The Lord reminds us today, we are to honor the trust our employer has placed in us, and we honor God when we stand firm against even the tiniest of the enemy’s temptations. Giving your “all” during the time you are being paid, pays very well in God’s eyes. He is pleased with honesty, and that honesty turns into your integrity behind closed doors. Don’t give in to the temptations, even the tiny ones, but instead, make Him smile as you live out your faith, in His reflection, as His Word works through you, today.
Prv 11:8 (ESV) – The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.
Proverbs 28:6 (ESV) – Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
Luke 16:10 (ESV) – One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
Heb 4:15 (ESV) – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
1 Cor 15:58 (ESV) – Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):
My character, seen in the man, is pleasing to My eyes. Walking amidst flames, temptations of the moth, he stands firm in My image. Lean not in the way of the wicked – those who seek gain through sin. Even the smallest transgression is saddening to Me. I have given more than you need. You suffer not in great want. My promises are yours – gifts of a Father to His children. Then why is it difficult to feel thanksgiving? Why does the desire for more continually drive? Give to he who employs the full hour, as he gives the full wage. Do not short the gift given through your work. You are well-supplied, and trust has been granted to you. Reflect My image, My character that I have shared with you. I see what is done in secret, and I reward greatly the good. For even sinners cease to steal when another is looking, but the good of obedience done in secret, pleases He who sees all secrets. Honor Me as you honor the trust given you. Blessed is he who obeys the way of the Creator, making the rough way before him smooth.
