Is Your Work Glorifying God?

He grabbed one box and marched it to its destination. Then he grabbed an even a bigger one. This one obscured most of his stout upper frame.

Efra’s grandparents, Merna and Ron were unloading two minivans full of boxes and bags into our ministry building. And this six-year old was doing almost as much work as each one of us.

When we finished I said, “Wow, he’s a great worker.” Efra heard my words. My intension. He just stood there with a quiet dignity. But his grandma spoke, affirming my observation, giving a couple of examples of this little guy’s work ethic.

Then Merna added, matter-of-factly: “He’s got Jesus in his heart.” Her words tightly tied together Efra’s Jesus-influence with his being a diligent, motivated worker.

Jesus said, “I have brought You (Father God) glory on Earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.”

Glory to God. That’s what Jesus did through His work on Earth. He honored God, magnified God’s goodness, and revealed God’s praise worthiness. This is what “glorify” means.

Several years ago I worked as construction manager on a church remodeling project. There were many specialized sub-contract crews involved. Through the numerous challenges of the job, many of the most frustrating situations were caused by a crew which was owned by two Christians with several other Christians working for them.

Watching eyes noticed. Verbal complaints followed—from the church’s pastor, workers on other crews, and spiritually-needy jobsite neighbors.

God was not glorified. And their work reflected an absence of God-powered living.

There’s a song that goes: “They will know we our Christian by our love…” So True.

Can I add a verse? “They will know we are Christians when we work to glorify God…” Conversely—can we rightly glorify God if our work-life is shoddy?