Thank you for listening to Servants for Christ. In all that we do, in all that we say, we want to give glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for tuning us in as we get into the wonderful Word of God. For the next few minutes, let's take the beautiful Word of God and share it with each and every one of you as we have a sense of anticipation to take the word of God and to listen to its truth for each and every one. Thank you for tuning in for our wisdom for life's journey, devotions from Ecclesiastes. Here, our third devotion, we talk about the purpose of our labor. It'll be found in three places, Ecclesiastes chapter one, verse three, Genesis chapter two, verse 15, and Colossians chapter three, verses 23 and verse 24. You know, as we look at the purpose of our labor, Here, the book of Ecclesiastes offers a profound exploration of life's most challenging question. What's the meaning of life? How do we find contentment amidst uncertainty? And how do we navigate a world filled with both beauty and brokenness? Because here, With our devotion, we look at the timeless uncovering of the wisdom of the teacher who leads us to a greater understanding of God's purpose for all of our lives. All across the chapters of Ecclesiastes, these 12 chapters, we encounter the nature of a worldly pursuit of wealth and pleasure. and discover that true fulfillment is found only in a relationship with God. Our devotion should focus on these key lessons from the teacher himself, connecting these ancient truths to our modern lives. And so from the time of the sovereignty of God and from the joys of his gifts to the boundaries that this illuminates how to live wisely in a world that often feels upside down. Through these stories and meditations and practical applications, it challenges every one of us to seek God's eternal perspective in our daily lives and through the questions that we look at, the heartfelt prayers, that it will navigate the seasons of doubt to long for contentment and to seek guidance for life's complexities. And so, take your Bibles over, to the book of Ecclesiastes chapter one verse three. The Bible says, what prophet hath a man of all his labor which he taketh under the sun? And then look with us to Genesis chapter two verse 15. The Bible says, and the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it. and to keep it. And then to the New Testament of Colossians chapter 3, verses 23 and 24. And whatsoever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men, knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ. Let's open up. with a word of prayer before we go any further and ask the Lord to bless the reading of the scripture of the word of God. Father, we come before you grateful for the work that you have given us to do as we reflect on the wisdom of Ecclesiastes. Help us to understand your design for work and guard our hearts against making it an idol. Teach us to find our value, our purpose, and fulfillment in you alone. In Jesus' mighty name we pray, amen. You know, what makes human beings different from every other species of created life? And what points toward or proves that they have greater value and meaning to their existence than Well, any man any better than the rest of God's creature? You know, is any man any better than the rest of God's creatures? Or is he just another animal like the beast, the birds, and the fish? Well, we know that people, even educated ones, believe that man is just another animal, that there's nothing special about him. But what does God have to say on that subject? What is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man. I'm reading from Psalms chapter eight verses four through eight that what God says on the subject. He says that from Psalms chapter eight. What is, man, that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man, that thou visiteth him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands. Thou hast put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beast of the field, the fowl of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the pass of the seas. And so God says that man has been created as a higher being than animals, of God's created beings. Angels are a higher, more powerful order than human beings, and animals occupy a lower order than humans. And God has given man dominion, authority, power over the rest of the earthly creation. But in addition, God has crowned man with a glory and an honor that animals do not have. and the fact and purpose and meaning and value to human life that no other created species possesses. So we find purpose and fulfillment in life that begins with understanding that God has added value and significance to our lives that he did not bestow on any of the other creatures. And so, have you ever ended a long day of work and you thought, hey, what's the point? Because this question, it's not new. Even the teacher in Ecclesiastes asked it. What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun in Ecclesiastes chapter 1 verse 3? You see, many work is more than a task. It's where we seek identity, security, and purpose. But Ecclesiastes challenges us to examine the role of work in our lives. Is work a means of glorifying God? Or have we made it an idol, expecting it to provide what only God can give? And so, when we look at the purpose of our labor. We see the futility of work as an idol. Ecclesiastes presents a sobering reality when we seek ultimate fulfillment in work, that it will disappoint us. What do we read in Ecclesiastes chapter 1 verse 3? What profit hath a man of all his labor which he taketh under the sun? You see, Here, the teacher Solomon, he questions the value of human effort, and he reflects on the futility of life when one tries to find fulfillment solely in earthly pursuits. The phrase, under the sun, it refers to the world as it is without God's intervention or eternal perspective. Solomon points out that despite all of our labor, there seems to be no lasting profit or satisfaction in it. and it sets the tone. that challenges the human pursuit of meaning outside of God. The key point of Ecclesiastes chapter one is the realization that human labor in and of itself is meaningless unless it is anchored in a relationship with God. Solomon explores the endless cycles of nature and human strife and emphasizes that without the divine, everything is vanity or meaningless. And so we see The Hebrew word, hevel, hevel, it means vapor or breath that we talk about. And so it signifies something that is insubstantial, transit, and fleet, and it's used repetitively in the book of Ecclesiastes to illustrate the emptiness of earthly pursuits because every one of us The concept comes from the idea that life and work can appear substantial, but when it's examined very closely, it's insubstantial because it's like a vapor, it's like a breath, it's like a mist. The use of Hevel in Ecclesiastes draws attention to the nature of life. The traditional Jewish teaching tells the story of a wise man who reflected on his life's work at the end of his days, despite all of his efforts, and he found no lasting meaning in any of them. And so the lesson is that one must recognize that true meaning comes only through God's presence in life, amen. And so when we look at that and we realize the futility of work as an idol, we begin to realize that God knows exactly what we need, the hebel, the hebel. other words as the vapor or the breath, the vapor or the hebel of work. The teacher frequently uses the word hebel, but he's talking about also vanity. Vanity is something that is like a vapor or a breath that just disappears. It's insubstantial to describe the work. It doesn't mean work is meaningless, but it highlights its limitations. Ecclesiastes chapter two, verses 22 and 23. What hath man of all his labor for all his days are sorrow, his travail grief. You know, labor apart from God feels like an endless cycle with no lasting reward. And so we see the futility of work as an idol. The hebel, the vapor, the vanity of work. But also we see the misplaced expectation as well. Because the Hebrew word for gain Hithron, it refers to what remains of the profit that's left after the labor. Ecclesiastes shows that no amount of toil can yield eternal satisfaction. When we idolize work, we ask it to deliver security, identity, and worth, things that only God can provide. And so the futility of work as an idol, we see the hebel, the vanity, the labor, the vapor, the breath, of that work, but we also see the misplaced expectation, but thirdly, the consequence of that idolatry, because when we idolize work, it leads to burnout, and I know about burnout. After almost 22 years, I got burnout as a pastor trying to be a pastor, work a regular job, do all of the things that for the church, take care of my wife, my family. And you know what? After a while, it pays a toll on you. And so the consequences of idolatry, when we idolize work, it leads to burnout, anxiety, and a distorted sense of self-work. we measure our value by productivity, forgetting that we're already cherished by God. Ecclesiastes chapter 5 verse 10 warns, he that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase. And so we've got to elevate evaluate where we place our trust. Have you made work an idol? Remember, work cannot provide what only God can. And so, first of all, The futility of work as an idol, we see the pursuit of purpose in that work. But the second of that pursuit of purpose in work, we see work as a good gift from God. Because while Ecclesiastes warns against idolizing work, it also affirms its goodness as a gift from God. when we look and realize not only that we read in Ecclesiastes chapter 1 verse 3, but also we look and we realize that Genesis chapter two verse 15, the Bible says, and the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And it describes the creation of mankind and humanity's first task, to work the garden of Eden. And unlike all of the curses where work became toll due to sin, here in Genesis chapter two, work is seen as a natural, purposeful part of life. The Hebrew words dress and keep suggest that work is meant to be nurturing, cultivating and protecting God's creation. And so, Genesis chapter two emphasizes the special relationship between God and humanity. God placed Adam in the garden, not just to live, but to actively engage in caring for the creation, setting the stage for humanity's role as stewards of the earth. And so, the word work, to work or to serve, is the Hebrew word avad, avad. In the context of Genesis 2, it emphasizes a purposeful labor, one that brings care and cultivation. It highlights that human work is sacred. It's a service to God and his creation. And then we see the word, it means to keep, because he put him, the Lord took, God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. Not only the word avid, that means to work or to serve, but the Hebrew word shemar, that means to keep and to guard it. It's the responsibility, it's the protection, it's the maintenance that Adam's role was not only to work the land, but also to safeguard it, to ensure that creation remained in harmony with God's intent. You know, as Jewish tradition teaches that Adam's work in Eden was not a burdensome task, but it was a part of his calling as a caretaker of God's creation. Some rabbis believe that Adam's original task was to cultivate not just the garden, but his relationship with God and as work and worship were inseparable in the original design. And so we see that not only the futility of work as an idol, the hebo of work, of the vapor, the vanity, the misplaced expectation, the consequences of idolatry, but that second, and that is that when we look at the pursuit of purpose in work. Secondly, we see work as a good gift from God. First of all, God's original design for work in Genesis 2, verse 15, that God placed Adam in the garden to dress it and to keep it. Work was a part of God's perfect creation. It meant to glorify Him, to bring fulfillment. Work is not a curse, but it's a reflection of God's creativity and order. And so work as a good gift from God is God's original design for work. But also, secondly, the enjoyment of God's gifts. Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verse 13, every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor. It is the gift of God. God calls us to delight in the fruits of our labor, recognizing them as blessings from his hand. And so work as a good gift from God is God's original design for work and the enjoyment of God's gifts. But thirdly, work as worship. Because when we look at work as worship, we read in Colossians 3, verses 23 and 24, and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ. Paul encourages Christians to work not merely for human approval or earthly rewards, but as if serving Christ Himself. And the motivation for work, according to Paul, should be rooted in honoring God, knowing that ultimately our true reward comes from Him. It's a call to integrity, diligence, and a God-centered approach to all tasks, no matter how mundane. So Colossians chapter 3 verses 23 and 24 emphasizes the importance of living out one's faith in all aspects of life, including work. The Apostle Paul teaches that Christians should engage in every task with excellence and wholeheartedness, recognizing that our ultimate accountability is to God and not to the human authorities. And so when we look at the heart, He said, whatsoever you do, do it heartily, heartily. What he's talking about is the word cardia, cardia. and it means heart, it means inner being because it signifies the center of one's emotion. When I went to Israel and we looked at some of the places that were down underneath all of the start of civilization for Israel and the nation of Israel, they had it laid out as a cardia, as the heart that was laid out for the city. And I'm glad the cardia, that inner being, when Paul says to work heartily, he's urging believers to do so with all of their being, not just in outward actions, but with genuine passion and commitment to God's glory. And also, he talked about being a servant. He said that, he said, and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, not unto the men, knowing that of the Lord, ye shall receive the reward of them. For ye serve. the Lord Christ. The word dulios, it means servant or bondservant, and Paul uses that term to emphasize that as believers we're all servants of Christ. Our earthly work then is not for ourselves or even for others, but it is an extension of our service to the Lord. The tradition of working for God is intertwined with the idea of living a life that glorifies our Lord in every aspect. The Talmud teaches that even the most mundane tasks like working to earn A living can be an act of worship if it's done with the right heart. The idea of serving God with joy is central in Jewish spirituality, and it emphasizes the belief that God is honored not just in prayer, but sacrifice in every effort that's made in His name. And so, I'm glad that the futility of work as an idol, the hebel, or the vapor and the vanity that vanishes away, the misplaced expectation, the consequences of idolatry, but secondly, work as a good gift from God, God's original design for work, the enjoyment of God's gifts, but also we work as we worship, that Paul said in Colossians chapter three, verses 23 and 24. When done for God's glory, even the mundane tasks become acts of worship. View your work as an opportunity to honor God and enjoy the blessings of our labor, but let them point us back to the giver of all good things. And so as we look, at the pursuit of purpose and work. We see the futility of work as an idol. Secondly, work as a good gift from God. But thirdly, finding true gain in Christ. You see, the ultimate answer to Ecclesiastes' question, what do we gain, is found in Christ. Because when we find true gain in Christ, First of all, our true identity in Christ, work does not define us, Christ does. Romans chapter five verse eight reminds us, but God committed his love toward us and that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Our worth is not based on performance, but on God's unchanging love. So we find true gain in Christ, that our true identity is in Christ. But secondly, our eternal gain through Christ, because while work under the sun is temporary, our labor in the Lord is eternal. 1 Corinthians 15, verse 58, be you steadfast for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Christ redeems our work. He gives it an eternal significance when it's done for His kingdom. And so, we find true gain in Christ. Our true identity is in Christ. Our eternity gained through Christ. But thirdly, we also see the rest that is found in Christ. In Matthew 11, verse 28, coming to me all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. True rest and fulfillment are found in Jesus, not in striving or working and toiling. And so we've got to anchor our trust and hope in Christ that gives eternal purpose to our work and let him be the source of our identity and the reason for our labor. There was a traveler that came across three bricklayers working on a construction site and he asked the first man what he was doing and the man replied, hey, I'm laying some bricks. And he asked the second man the same question. And the man said, I'm building a wall. And finally, he asked that third man. And the man smiled with a pride of a big smile. And he said, I'm building a cathedral for the glory of God. And so the glory, the story, reflects the different perspectives people have about their work. For some, work is just a task. For others, it's a stepping stone. But for those with a God-centered perspective, it's an act of worship. Ask yourself, do I see my work as a means of glorifying God? Because Colossians chapter 3 verses 23 and 24 reminds us, and whatsoever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men, no matter how mundane the task, when done for God, our labor has eternal significance. How many of you remember the movie Chariots of Fire? Well, it tells the story of Eric Liddle, a devout Christian, an Olympic runner who once said, I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel his pleasure. Well, Liddle understood that his athletic ability was a gift from God, and he used it to honor him. And so like Liddle, we are called to serve God with the talents that he's given us. Whether you're a teacher, Whether you're a builder, whether you're a parent, whether you're a student, Genesis chapter 2 verse 15 shows that work was a part of God's original plan for humanity and the Lord God took the man and he put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. You know what? All of us as we go through life, we can remember how things are. And so Paul Harvey had a story that many know. He said, if I were the devil, He said, I might lure people away from God, but one tactic is making work an idol, convincing people that their worth is measured by their job title, their salary, or their achievements. And so the results is burnout and spiritual emptiness. And so, Ecclesiastes chapter one, verse three, poses the question, what prophet hath a man of all his labor, which he taketh under the sun? And the answer is clear, if work is done without God, is ultimately meaningless. When we labor with God's purposes in mind, our work brings fulfillment and it brings eternal value. Oswald Chambers said one time, the Christian should work as if all depends on him and pray as if all depends on God. And so, do you approach your work with that balance? Because while Genesis 2.15 calls us to work, we're also reminded in Colossians 3.24 that we serve the Lord Christ. that our work is not just about earthly reward, it's about eternal impact. A stonecutter hammered away at a rock, sometimes striking it 100 times without visible progress. But at the final blow, the rock split apart. And the stonecutter knew it wasn't that single strike, but it was all of the cumulative effort that made the difference. You know what? Every one of us, as we persevere in our work every day, even when progress seems invisible, God sees your faithfulness. And Ecclesiastes chapter one asked about the gain from work. Colossians chapter three verses 23 and 24 provides the answer. The ultimate reward comes from God and not man. And so we see the purpose of our labor, amen, because Here, Ecclesiastes chapter one teaches that life's labor, when it's done apart from God, ultimately results in frustration and emptiness. But true satisfaction comes from understanding that our work has eternal value when it's aligned with God's will. Genesis chapter two verse 15 reminds us that work was part of God's original design, meant to be fulfilling and purposeful. It's not a curse, but it's a calling to steward and to care for his creation. And Colossians chapter three verses 23 and 24 gives a New Testament perspective, emphasizing that every task that we do should be done as an act of worship to Christ, knowing that our reward is not from men, but from God. And so, you know what? We got to find meaning in our daily tasks. Many today struggle with feeling of insignificance in their work. We've got to avoid the idolatry of work as well. because society equates success with business or status. But Genesis chapter 2 verse 15 reminds us that work is God's gift. It's not our identity. Balance your labor with rest and worship and trust God for your provision. And so we've got to find meaning in our daily tasks. We've got to avoid idolatry of work. but also with our application impacting others through our work because your workplace is a mission field. And whether you're interacting with customers, clients, or coworkers, it reflects Christ's character in all that you do. Your diligence, your integrity can point others to the Lord. And so, Sometimes I have people that try to take advantage of me because I'm good hearted and that I fly off the handle because it makes me so mad when people try to take advantage of my good heartedness. But you know what? Even though that there's people like that, you have to watch out for them because they will use you like you ain't never been used before. And so work is not a punishment. It's a privilege to partner with God in caring for his creation. And when we labor with purpose, we fulfill the calling that was outlined in Genesis 2, verse 15. We echo the diligence that's encouraged in Ecclesiastes 1, verse 3. And we find ultimate joy and reward as promised in Colossians 3, verses 23 and 24. And so in today's world, work is seen as a means to an end. Whether that end is financial success, personal fulfillment, social recognition, the Bible teaches that work, when it's done with the right heart, with a God-centered perspective, it has eternal value. And just as the Hebrew words in Genesis emphasize work as a divine calling, and the Greek words in Colossians remind us that we're servants of Christ, our labor today should reflect the glory of God, and it should be an act of worship. In all of our work, whether it's big, whether it's small, we must remember that we're ultimately working for God and not for man, and that he will reward us according to the faithfulness of our labors. What expectations do you place on your work? How can you shift your perspective to see work as a gift rather than an item? We need to reflect on those areas and rely on work for validation and ask God to realign our heart. How does viewing work and worship change your approach to daily tasks? All the activities, all the opportunities are an opportunity to glorify God when it's done with the right heart. And where do you find your ultimate worth and rest? your ultimate worth and rest. We need to trust in Christ as the source of our identity and eternal hope rather than our achievements and our careers that we have. So Ecclesiastes teaches us that work, while a gift, is not our ultimate source of fulfillment, When we idolize work, we face frustration and futility. But when we see work as an opportunity to glorify God and rest in the identity that he gives us, our labor takes on eternal meanings. True gain comes not from our efforts, but from Christ, who redeems our work and offers us rest. So, thank God that when we look and we realize that the futility of work as an idol and work as a good gift from God, amen. Each and every one of us, we look and we see that we find true gain in Christ. Work, as we close out, we see the purpose of our labor. Lord Jesus, thank you for the work that you've given us and the blessings that come from it. Help us to view our labor as a gift, not as an idol, and to trust in you for our identity and worth. Give us the strength to work for your glory and the wisdom to find rest in your promises. In Jesus's marvelous mighty name that we pray, amen. so