Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his  commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.

Observation: Even though we are no longer under the law, the duty of man has not changed. We are still to obey God. We no longer do it for salvation, but because of salvation. God will still judge our thoughts, actions and intents of our hearts, and whether the works we do are for His honor and glory or for our own.

Application: Yes, I am still on the topic of work... it's a theme that runs rampant in the springtime here. This time though, it is the reasons behind the work rather than the attitude. God has given us work as a gift, we are to rejoice in it... but more than that, we need to be making sure that the work we are doing is for His honor and glory, and not our own. Everything we do, can be done to bring honor, glory and praise to God. Yes... EVERYTHING! (I have this discussion with my children all the time!) It doesn't matter if you are visiting widows, sharing the gospel, picking up trash, or cleaning the toilet.... is can still be done for God's glory. It all comes down to the reason you are doing it - are you seeking praise from man? Or are you seeking praise for God? Do you want someone to say thank you or to tell you that you are doing a good job? I admit, it is nice to hear these things, and it is encouraging, but it should not be the reason that we are doing the job...

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please help not only my attitude to be right, but my reasons. I want to get the work done for your honor and glory, and not my own. It is so easy to start doing a job for Your glory, and to gradually change and do it for my own... please help me to keep my intentions pure and focused on you. I know that Your word says that if we seek You first, You will take care of everything else, and Lord, I'm asking that you not only help me to seek you, but that You would help me to get the extra stuff done as well... I know that I can do it with Your help, and that without You, I could never get it done anyhow. So please Lord, give me strength today to get the work done, but more than that Lord, help me to keep my eyes upon You. In Jesus name, Amen.