FRUSTRATION OR FULFILLMENT

Ecclesiastes 2:11 “But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless – like chasing the wind.”

How much do you value your work? Are you bored by what you do? Do you believe that God cares about your work? According to God’s Word, your work does matter to God.

Why do you work?

• To find self-fulfillment?
• To meet goals you have set in life?
• To become successful?

What is success?

Is success working hard and getting the right breaks to achieve financial success? Success to most means the accumulation of lots of money and materials things. The popular view is that success in your work has nothing to do with success in your personal life.

A man may be a closet alcoholic, have his second or third wife just walk out on him, his kids may be rebellious, his employees can’t stand him, yet because he has lots of money and a thriving business and people may pay big bucks for his endorsement – so in the business world he is successful. The “so called” successful man may not be happy but he can buy all the pleasure he wants. That’s success. For the Christian, success is, knowing the will of God and doing it.

God in his mercy is constantly giving people opportunity to enter into his Kingdom and participate in Kingdom work. As Christians, our goal is to be involved in Kingdom of God work.

Work brings frustration when it is done as an end in itself. When Solomon looked at the work he had done in his own strength and to his own honor and glory he found all he had done to be meaningless. Ecclesiastes 2:18, “I hated all the work I had done.” When work is done as an end in itself it has no meaning or purpose. Work brings frustration when it has no dynamic purpose.

Two men were working in the country to install telephone lines. One said, “I’m putting up poles and lines to get paid.” The other man said, “I’m helping to connect the world with a communication system.” The second man saw a vital purpose to his work.

Two carpenters are working side by side. One says, “I’m pounding nails into boards to earn my pay check.” The other man says, “I’m doing my part to build a great Cathedral.” The second man believed he was part of a project that had a great purpose and would help many people.

Work brings frustration when work is divided into two categories, secular and sacred. The Biblical view of work is that all work – all work that is good for the community and helps people and makes the world a better place to live – is blessed of God.

It is God’s will for everyone to find fulfillment in their work. All legitimate work is an extension of God’s work. Your worth is based on who you are and not what you do. So when your alarm clock goes off tomorrow and you are awakened with the realization that another work day lay ahead – be thankful. Work as if you are working for God – because you are. God has given you the opportunity and ability to work. Find fulfillment in his ways and you will look at work in a whole new way.