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Remember, we will all face tests, trials, and temptations in this world; whether they bring us closer to God or not is determined by the attitude with which we face them. | New Hope for the Week
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Remember, we will all face tests, trials, and temptations in this world; whether they bring us closer to God or not is determined by the attitude with which we face them.

Today I will:

  • work as if God were my supervisor and not other people
  • consider my motives for what I do each day
  • scrutinize my attitudes towards those I serve either at work or as a volunteer

Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 4:4 (ESV)

What motivates you in your work? The desire to be the head of the company? Keeping up with what the neighbors have? Trying to outperform your colleagues to get the next available advancement? If so, Solomon is speaking to you. If you are motivated by envy, jealousy, or competition to get ahead, what you are doing is merely smoke and spitting in the wind. What a waste. Why? Because even if you get what you are after, your selfish motivation will undermine your reward.

The Bible has great advice about serving those who have rule over us: "Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men" (Ephesians 6:6-7 NIV).In other words, don't just work for your employer to accomplish the tasks for the day, but work for what will last into eternity-the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) you develop as you go about the duties of each.

Is it possible to get to know your Lord and Savior better as you attend to the affairs of this world? It depends largely on your motivation and how you approach the challenges you face each day. Challenges can either exercise your righteousness or undermine it; the choice is really up to you.