Today’s 333 Devotional: “What Are You Laboring For?”

Solomon speaks about the vanity, or the uselessness, of laboring all day long when in the end it will all be gone.

“Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.” (Ecclesiastes 5:15)

So Solomon asks this question, “As a man comes, so he departs, and what does he gain, since he toils for the wind?” (Ecclesiastes 5:16)

If all we do is work to gain the wealth, then in the end there is no gain. Yes we are able to pay the bills and take vacations, but in the end what will we show for it. Nothing. We came into this world naked and with nothing, and that’s the same way we’ll leave. It’s said you never see a U-Haul following a hearse.

Who or what are we laboring for?

Joshua challenged the people to choose whom they will serve.

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15b)

The Apostle Paul understood that the only thing that will last beyond this life is what we do in the Lord’s service.

“Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-14)

The Apostle Paul said, “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” (Colossians 3:23)

While you work to make worldly ends meet, serve God so in the end you will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:21)