Teen Devotional: Faithfulness in Work

What thoughts come to mind when someone talks to you about homework, chores, or your fast-food job?  I would propose to you that the “boring” everyday tasks a Christian performs are important to God.  In Colossians 3:23, God speaks to those who work for others (which includes us if we are employed).  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (NIV)  As students, this would also apply to our attitude toward our homework.  God expects His children to give Him their best efforts.

During a time of particular need in the early church, the apostles sought out Christian workers who could take care of widows’ daily needs.  Acts 6:3 says that they selected men of “good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom…” (NASB).

On the day they were chosen for this job, they already had good reputations.  People had been watching their lives and had observed faithfulness, carefulness, diligence, reliability, and trustworthiness.  These men wouldn’t have been chosen if they did not already have people skills - knowing how to gently and appropriately interact with people.  They wouldn’t have been trusted with resources, if they hadn’t been faithful with finances and material goods in the past.

They were “filled with the Spirit,” which surely indicates they were obedient to everything they knew to be God’s will, they were growing spiritually, and they had given themselves completely to God.

They were wise.  Wise people understand the big picture.  Those who are wise see a situation as it can and should be with God involved in it.  They are God-dependant, but eagerly do the task at hand as they depend on God.

Maybe we wouldn’t yet be up to such as job as these men had back then.  Maybe we don't yet have a track record like they did. But as Christian young people we should be growing in the character traits that they exemplified, so that in God’s timing we too can fulfill His role for us.   
   

Jesus said in Luke 16:10, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”  (NIV)

What has God given you to do right now?  Are you demonstrating diligence and carefulness in this “small thing”?  As you work, are you learning to depend on God?  

New International Version (NIV)

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New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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