The Right Type of Work

But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. 2 Chronicles 15:7

When this verse came up in a recent quiet-time, I found it to be a great encouragement, and I did indeed take courage. I am a bit prone to procrastination, which is most certainly a weakness for me, so this verse helped to spur me on. I felt the Lord saying that He could see all the work that His children were doing on His behalf, even the ‘behind-the-scenes’ work that no-one else could see. The Lord takes notice of it all, and it pleases Him greatly.

Therefore, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

In the Old Testament, we read of someone who may well be described as an over-achiever in regards to accomplishing ‘works’. He is referred to as the Preacher, and for years (probably decades) he toiled away building houses, planting vineyards, creating gardens and parks with every kind of fruit tree, and buying vast quantities of herds and flocks – but encouragement was not found.

Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11

It could not be said of the Preacher that his hands were weak. He had a wealth of possessions, gathering for himself silver and gold and the treasure of kings (2:8). He had everything and yet he says, behold, all was vanity, it was all in vain. So, what went wrong? The Preacher gives the answer when he says, ‘I gathered for myself.’

What are we toiling for – earthly gain or heavenly gain? We need to choose wisely, for with the first, there is nothing to be gained under the sun, but with the second, there is everything to be gained through the Son.