Friday Faith Foundations - Hard work is always rewarded
Owning a business is not for the faint of heart. It takes hard work, discipline, and determination. The good news is, hard work is always rewarded.
Let's face it, owning a business can be challenging. I often hear people say that they became an entrepreneur because it would be easier than working a 9-5. Maybe that's true but I'm not convinced. Entrepreneurship requires a lot of hard work. And that hard work is always rewarded. However, if you don't work hard, you will not succeed, no matter what. Talent is a blessing from above, but God doesn't expect you to hold that talent on a pedestal without working hard to embody it, develop it, master it, and share it. In other words, work hard and use the gifts God has given you. In fact, Scripture has a lot to say about hard work.
Success comes from hard work
Proverbs 14:23 reminds us: "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." This verse emphasizes that hard work is always rewarded by bringing a profit. The opposite, mere talk, results in poverty.
I've seen this over the years when working with clients. Those who were not afraid of hard work, who were willing to roll up their sleeves and dig in, and who didn't make excuses, achieved the profit level they wanted. However, those who simply talked about what they wanted and what they were going to do to get it did not reach their goals.
Hard work is always rewarded, especially when the hard work is for God's glory
We are reminded by Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, you should do it all for God’s glory. Likewise in Proverbs 16:3, we learn that when we commit our work to the Lord, our plans will succeed.” And, in Colossians 3:23-24 Paul also tells us that whatever we do, work at it with all our heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Hard work is always rewarded, both from an earthly financial perspective as well as a heavenly, eternal life, perspective.
Hard work is always rewarded, especially when you welcome it and don't complain about having to do it
In Philippians 2:14-15 Paul told the Philippians, and it applies to us today, to do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that we may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.
Again, we have a reminder to embrace our gifts and work hard to use them for God's glory.
Hard work is a mindset
You want success and therefore you must work hard to achieve it. But even more importantly, posture yourself like Jesus when approaching hard work. Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and help you discern the action you should take. Doing what everyone else says to do is not the answer. God has given you specific gifts that require certain tasks to use them to help others. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and strength to do the hard work but to bring all glory to God, not to yourself. Pride has no place in a Jesus-like heart. Work hard from a place of humility and all glory will be brought to God.
Once again Paul comes to our rescue. In Galatians 6:9 he reminds us not to become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Working hard while maintaining a balance of humility may make you feel weary, that's how Satan tempts us to be prideful. We want immediate rewards and gratification for our hard work. We're all guilty of it at one time or another. But we are works in progress, and we have God's grace to carry us through.
Hard work it's never impossible
When, not if hard work and success seem nearly impossible because it will happen, scripture provides comfort. Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:13 that we can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives us strength. Therefore, the question is, will you do hard work, and when. We've been called to it and will be rewarded for it - here on earth and in heaven. There's no time to waste. Get to work.
If we work hard, we will be able to celebrate like Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:7 in which he says "I have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.” This is God's goal for us. We are again reminded of it in Psalm 128:2: You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Friends, I'd love to hear from you. Did this episode inspire you to work hard(er)? What were you dragging your feet on that you are now ready to step into action to accomplish?
Additional Resources
As a Christian business coach for Christian business owners, this is one of the highlights - getting to share what scripture says about working hard to achieve success while glorifying God. I hope you enjoy and learn from the Friday Faith Foundation episodes as I do. We are all works in progress. It's a blessing to get to grow alongside you.
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