“so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” – Colossians 1:10 (NIV)
Knowledge of the definition of “work” (Part 1) leads us to ask, what is a fantasy? According to the late Dr. Myles Munroe, it is “ a dream without labour” and “ a vision without a mission’. When God gives the potential for something within us, He also demands that it be worked at. We must do something to activate that potential. This principle is evident in the story of Abraham.
God promised Abraham everything as far as he could see to the north, south, east, and west. Then God told him to walk the length and breadth of the land to receive what he had been promised – Genesis 13:14-17. With the promise came the command to work. Before Abraham could possess the land (his inheritance), he had to fight those who lived in the land. The promise would only come through effort.
The same is true for us. Every time God gives us a promise, He also gives us the command to work to receive it. We must fight to get what is ours. The potential to possess what God has given us is right within us. We can only obtain the promise when we put forth the effort to claim it.
If money is needed to pay the bills and buy groceries, don’t wait for someone to pass by and deliver it. Get up and take the job God sends. We must learn the value of work. Discipline comes from educating yourself to work. If a child always gets what he wants, he expects his wants to be met without any effort.
We do well when we learn the lesson early in life that God requires us to work for what we want. One of the greatest things parents can teach their children is to demand that they learn the responsibility of work early. Work completes potential. Without work, all one has is potential. Our covenant requires us to work with and for God.
Read: Genesis 2:15; Proverbs 28:8
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 6:1-11; Mark 8:14-38; Mark 9:1; Exodus 37; Exodus 38
