When you work, do your best!

After ten years of sorrow and hardship in which she lost her husband and her support system, God introduced Ruth to her new husband, Boaz. He was the owner of the field that she worked in each day. One of the things that brought Ruth to Boaz's attention was her work ethic. The servant in charge of the reapers told Boaz, 'She came and has continued from morning until now' (Ruth 2:7 NKJV). Her work ethic moved her to a position of respect and honour.

The Bible has heaps to say about the difference between hard work and laziness, excellence and sloppiness, punctuality and lateness, honesty and dishonesty, a positive attitude and a negative one.

Read these three Scriptures: (1) 'Do you see people skilled in their work? They will work for kings, not for ordinary people' (Proverbs 22:29 NCV). (2) 'The lazy will not get what they want, but those who work hard will' (Proverbs 13:4 NCV). (3) 'A lazy person will end up poor, but a hard worker will become rich' (Proverbs 10:4 NCV). By expecting much and giving back as little as possible in return, we don't just short-change the person or the organisation we work for, we short-change ourselves.

God promises to honour us when we give our best. His word says, 'You will enjoy what you work for, and you will be blessed with good things' (Psalm 128:2 NCV).



So what now? When you work, give your best! Know that you are pleasing God and that it will go well for you.





— SCRIPTURE —

'She came and has continued from morning until now.' Ruth 2:7 NKJV
— SOULFOOD —

1 Ki 8-9, Mark 8:14-26, Ps 47, Pro 12:4-6