“What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.”
Proverbs 13:20
Do we like to work?
We should, it is a gift from God!
God has given us play, rest, love, and worship. He has also given us work (Gen. 2:15).
King Solomon acknowledges here in this passage that we want to know the purpose of our work (v.9) and that due to the fall of man, work is hard (v. 10). But this is all part of God’s design.
God, in creation, provides us with the example of how rewarding work can be. He made everything beautiful and has been at work for all eternity (v. 11) as the master worker. He wants to share his beautiful plan and design with us.
How comforting is it to realize that when we arrive at work today, God is already up and on the job site.
He wants to be involved in our daily work. God’s example in creation and the work of Jesus to complete the plan of redemption should motivate us as we complete our daily tasks.
What is the reward for our hard work?
Solomon shares that the reward is the sweetness of Eden-like things after a hard day’s work.
We can enjoy the gifts of food, drink, and satisfaction from knowing that we followed God’s plan for us today. That is the gift of God for work (v. 13).
Let’s work hard today men for God’s glory!
Jeff Riddle
MD5 Facilitator