James 1:27 New International Version (NIV)
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
I am doing a teaching series on KBOE 104.9 FM and it is on our Vital Ministries web page vitalministries.org. The teaching is on ‘work’. Most of the men I work with have a ‘getter done’ mentality, whether they are behind a desk or hands on. Many are to the edge of being consumed by work.
Work is a good thing within its boundaries to not control you. As a matter of fact, Solomon says this about work in Eccl 2:22-23, “So, what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.”
This has really struck me as I continue to get older and my body breaks down. So what is important in my day to day work life as I toil with my hands? I think James, the brother of Jesus, gives us insight to true balance in work and in my attitude of it.
In my work, my heart of pure religion, is to pay attention to orphans, widows, and refuse to allow the world to corrupt me. Through my work, I can care for those who are fatherless or have absent fathers. I can work to help widows, both men and women. Finally, in my work I can not let my attitude be corrupted with the world which tries to suck me in.
Men, your work can determine your attitude. Right attitude with the Father determines right action in how you work. Work with a better, not bitter attitude.
Strength and Courage
Michael
