Biblical Attitudes, II

2 Timothy 2:¹⁵ “Work hard so God can say to you, “Well done.” Be a good workman, one who does not need to be ashamed when God examines your work…” (LB).

The first Biblical attitude for work metamorphosis is, You Must Work Enthusiastically Wherever You Are Right Now! There are two keys to enthusiasm. So, if you see someone that is not enthusiastic, they lack those two keys. Also, if you find that you are not enthusiastic at work, in business, serving in church, at home, or at work wherever – two things are missing. And if you want to be enthusiastic you need these two things. The first key to enthusiasm is, this job, this business, this assignment, and this place I am in Is A Test From God.

You think that you are just having a bad day. Heaven is testing you and God is watching your responses. You think that your colleagues are just being nasty. God is watching you. You think that your spouse is just being mean-spirited. God is watching your every response. It is a test and God is watching. The job you are in right now is not nearly as important as what is happening in your attitude. The most important thing is what is happening in your attitude. The situation you are in is perhaps to expose the bad attitude that you have. So, that you can come to God and ask for His mercy. Then He can cleanse you and you can become a better person.

Then watch God change the situation. God expects that you see that everything is a test. How are you doing on the test? Luke 16:^10&12 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much… If you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own.” (NIV). If you have not been trustworthy in being a follower, God says you are not worthy of being a leader. If you have not been trustworthy in little things, God says you are not ready for the big things. So, to be enthusiastic I need to see that everything is a test. Romans 12:¹¹ “Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.”

The second key to enthusiasm is, God Is Watching. Many people bring their best when the boss is around. When the boss is around, everybody puts their best foot forward. Even the people that are not working are busy looking busy. Do you know these kinds of people? They are experts at being busy once the boss is around, or once a customer or someone they believe can determine their pay cheque. But guess what? Whether the boss is around or not, if you realize that God is watching regardless of who is there, your enthusiasm will change. Proverbs 12:²⁴ “The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.” (MSG).

Prayer: Father, I ask for the grace to work enthusiastically in all I do, in Jesus Name. Amen!