Whistle While You Work #3: Prosperity

We're still looking at the personal blessings of our work. This is still point #1 ("Whistle! Your Work Matters for You!) in my message "Whistle While You Work." Last post talked about our basic needs being met in work, which we’re all grateful for, but the fact of the matter is, we’ve been blessed in the good old USA and for the vast majority of us, our work provides for much more than our needs, doesn’t it? Whether we’re rich or not by American standards, we’re certainly rich by world standards. And guess what. That’s OK.

The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it (Prov. 10.22).

Now I know that isn’t universal. There’s much poverty and suffering in the world, but Paul makes it clear in 1 Tim. 6.17-19 that, while we shouldn’t put hope in wealth, all things are provided for our enjoyment. It is good and right to enjoy God’s blessings.

Wealth isn’t dismissed in Scripture as evil – loving money is the root of all kinds of evil, but not wealth in and of itself. In fact, God told Israel not to be proud in their wealth as they entered the Land because it wasn’t their doing it was God’s, though they would live in abundance.

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today (Deut. 8:17-18).

We don’t live in the “Promised Land,” though we have been blessed and it is no less from God. All our relative wealth – cars with AC and CD players (standard), owning a large or multiple homes (maybe ownership at all!), movie tickets, flat screens, eating out, closets full of clothes, baseball tickets, various collectables, etc… are a gift from God that comes by means of work. So whistle at work. It paid for your Disneyland passes.

Now, just as you thought about the basic provisions you’re thankful for, take some time to reflect on the unnecessary blessings God has given you through your work.