"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality." - Colossians 3:23-25

It is important that we understand our work can be an act of worship to God. In fact, if we want God to bless our finances, we must make our work an act of worship.

Martin Luther, the man who sparked the Protestant Reformation, said, "A milk maid can milk cows to the glory of God." Why? It's your attitude that says, 'God I'm doing it as if I'm doing it for you.' If we begin doing everything working "as though we are working for the Lord and not for people", would the way your work change?

What does this mean?

No matter what you do - be it a caretaker, or running a corporation or the work of a stay-at-home mom -- your work is more than a job. The Bible says while you are here on earth, you should use your work as an act of worship.

This means whatever you do, you are to do it with enthusiasm. If your heart is not in it, you are in the wrong job.

Why work with all your heart?

Because you are working "as though you were working for the Lord and not for people." We learned yesterday that God is your salary and supply. He is also your 'boss'. There may be someone who is your supervisor, but you are really serving a higher authority. No matter what I do, if it is to prepare a meal, if it is to sign an invoice, if it is to do an analysis, if it is to close a deal, if it is to make a sale, if it is to make delivery -- whatever it is, I am to do it as if I'm doing it for God, and so it becomes an act of worship. Here are the top five reasons for you to consider:

1. Work fulfills three purposes.

Our work should:

• Glorify God

• Serve the common good

• Further the kingdom of God.

Our work is what God uses to change the world for his glory.

2. Work gives us insight into the nature of God.

The opening lines of Scripture say, “In the beginning, God created.” God is a worker. From the very beginning of the Bible, we are faced with the inescapable fact that work is a part of God’s character and nature. As my friend Steve Garber explains, vocation is “integral, not incidental, to the nature of God.”

3. Work is honorable—it is a gift, not a curse.

All professions and all kinds of work, assuming that they are legal and biblically ethical, are honorable before the Lord. There is no dichotomy between sacred and secular work. All work brings glory to God and a potential source of fulfillment if it is done to God’s glory.

God did not create work to be drudgery. He gave man work before the Fall, as a means of fulfillment. Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 reminds us that a human being can…do nothing better than…find satisfaction in his work. This too…is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?

4. Work provides an opportunity for witness.

You manifest a powerful message, both verbally and non-verbally, of a supernatural approach to work. The world needs this powerful witness to the reality of Christ and the difference he makes in his followers.

5. Work gives us a lifetime mission.

Genesis 3:19 reminds us that “by the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground.” God intends that humans are to work as long as they live, whether paid or volunteer. Retirement shouldn’t mean the end of meaningful, purposeful work. Our vocations are for a lifetime.

We’d love to hear what reasons you would add to this list. Have a blessed, refreshing, and fulfilling holiday with friends and loved ones today.