THE REWARD OF WORK
Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. Psalm 112:5 (NLT)
One of the brothers from my men’s group shared this story from his life experience and allowed me to share it with you . . .
A man was holding a Please Help sign at a corner. For months, I dropped in a few bucks. One day, heading home for lunch, I noticed a man getting onto a brand-new Harley Sportster as I passed under the overpass where the man typically stood. It was the very same man I had been helping. I was furious! Not long after, I passed another sign, Money for Food. I had no cash to give. I looked at my packed lunch, shrugged my shoulders, and handed it to the man. He hesitantly took it as I pulled through the intersection. I looked over my shoulder just in time to see him toss it into the street and walk away.
After that, I quit helping non-profit organizations and let the offering plate float right by me Sunday after Sunday. Constantly, I made unfair decisions towards others. Rationalizing my situation, I unfairly overcharged a man who hired me to do some contract work for him. Even with the extra money, I had debts being called due. I was about to lose everything.
About that time, a friend of mine told me there was a man in our church who heard about my situation and wanted to help. Later, I walked into a room to meet the man who wanted to help me, and I stood face-to-face with the man I had taken advantage of months earlier. I turned to walk away, but he placed an iron grip on my shoulder. I could not stop the tears from coming. This man pulled me closer to him with the warmest smile I had ever seen. It was obvious he recognized me.
He said I’m going to lend you the money you need; in exchange, you will let me mentor you on how to be a godly businessman. Still embarrassed, I asked him why he would do this. He glanced toward the other side of the large room. He asked, Do you see that man beneath that cowboy hat over there? Many years ago, he stood where I am standing now. His grip was stronger than mine.
The ability to work is a reward in itself. An even greater reward is the opportunity to share some of what we receive to help others. Add the fulfillment of having worked with integrity and done the best with what God has given me, and I experience a triple reward that money can’t buy.
APPLICATION:
Though you may have experienced the pain of being treated unfairly, resist the temptation to pass that unfairness to others. Ask God to show you how He has rewarded you and where you need to reward others or make things right with them.
PRAYER:
Lord, we ask You to show us the reward You have given us in or through our work. Give us strength to be fair in a world that prospers from unfairness. Give us the wisdom to lend by Your Spirit’s direction, recognizing the times You have cared for us even when we may not have conducted our business fairly.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?