What does the Bible Say about Working Hard?

Labor Day Dad Joke:

A father said to his son, "You know, most people don't have to work today,
​ because it's Labor Day."

His son replied, "Then shouldn't it be called No-Labor Day?" 
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Happy Labor Day!

​If you are working today, we at Your Praying Friend want to say a special thank you!
Thank you to our healthcare workers, law enforcement, military, retail employees, and so many more!
We need more hard working, dedicated employees, especially in today's society, when the government would prefer to incentivize you to stay home. 
​Nothing in life is free.
​Thank you! 
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Today's Bible Verse
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​"No matter how much you want something, laziness won't help you achieve it, 
but hard work will reward you with more than enough."

Proverbs 13:4

Reflection
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The Bible instructs us over and over again to be hardworking. 
But God also makes very clear that he is to be our top priority. 
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Whatever work you are doing, do it well. Work as though you are doing it for the Lord.

Colossians 3:23

​Recently our church was visited by a missionary from India. 
That's right.
This man traveled to America to witness to us.
He explained that while Christians are literally risking their lives each time they go to worship in India there are tens of thousands that take that risk and gather together each week. 
He then went on to say that in America we look for any inconvenience or prior obligation to miss out on gathering together. 
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Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:25

As I mulled this over for the past couple of weeks I did some self-reflecting. 
Have I become lazy in my relationship with God? 
Absolutely. 
There are times when I will opt to watch church online instead of going in person. 
There are times when I will eat or fall asleep without praying. 
There are times when work, going to the gym or even social media will take precedence over time spent in The Word or in prayer. 
I'm guilty of all this and so much more. 
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As I reasoned with myself about how busy life gets, how the to-do list piles up, and how truly watching service online is not about not wanting to be there, but the time I save by not traveling, socializing, etc. Then God began to speak to me.
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He said, "If you put me first you will accomplish twice as much with half the effort."

That simple phrase hit me like an epiphany. 
I could go to the gym every day and still get cancer. 
I could work 100 hours a week and still lose my job. 
I could wake up tomorrow and all of the shelves in the store may be empty.
What on Earth am I trying to gain by placing anything before my relationship with God?
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I felt God begin to align my will with his. 
With God as my first priority I can have faith that while I do my best to care for my Earthly body by eating healthy and exercising, ultimately he will determine my health. 
With God as my first priority I can trust that if I lose my job and the shelves are all empty I need not worry. He has promised that he will provide. 
With God as my first priority I can believe that all things are working out for my good and for the good of those who love him. 
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Let's Pray

​Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray that you would reveal to us the areas in which we have grown lazy.
I pray that you would convict us to make the necessary changes to challenge those bad habits.
Whether we are doing the bare minimum at our job or perhaps we don't work at all and have become reliant on someone else or the government, not out of necessity, but out of pure laziness.
I pray that you would give us all the desire work and to be hardworking as you have instructed us to do.
I pray for those that work to make a good home for their family.
I ask that you give them wisdom to teach their children.
Help them to be loving toward their spouse
​and active in their community.
I pray for those that are seeking work.
That you would place them exactly where they need to be and give them favor and blessings!
I pray that whatever line of work we are in that we would remember to do our best and to treat those that we serve as though we were serving you.
I pray that we would put you first in our lives and that through our obedience to you we would accomplish twice as much with half the effort!

In Jesus Name,
Amen

We hope you found today's message helpful. Make sure to tell someone about Your Praying Friend, but more importantly tell everyone about Jesus!
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Is there something we can pray with you about?
Send us a prayer request below. 
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