2022-08-21
Proverbs 13:4 CEV
Here is another key to succeeding on the job: hard work. “Hard work will reward you with more than enough.” Ask any employer and he or she will tell you that their biggest challenge is finding and keeping good people. “The hand of the diligent maketh rich” (Proverbs 10:4 KJV). Diligence means being self-disciplined, motivated, alert, dependable, and following through on something when you start it. And it is priceless because it’s so hard to find (See Proverbs 12:27 NKJV).
The Bible teaches that your boss is responsible to pay you a fair day’s wage, and you are responsible to give them a fair day’s work. The story is told of a guy who went for a job interview and was asked if he was responsible. He replied, “Yes, every time something went wrong on my last job, the boss said I was responsible!”
Seriously, do you want to prosper? See that your employer prospers! Hard work, not politics and manipulation, will get you promoted. “Work hard, and you will be a leader; be lazy, and you will end up a slave” (Proverbs 12:24 CEV). Lazy employees complain about things like unfair bosses, systems that are stacked against them, and “company men” who ingratiate themselves with bosses who “take care of them.” These people want the privileges others get to enjoy, but they’re not willing to work for them.
The Bible says that “the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied” (Proverbs 13:4 NIV). They get it all; the satisfaction of a job well done, a sense of self-worth, a reputation for integrity, the trust of others, job security, profit, promotion, and most importantly, God’s “Well done.”
Soul food: Josh 1:7-8; 2 Tim 3:14-17; Ps 119:1-16
Spreuke 13:4 NLV
Hier is nog ‘n sleutel om sukses in jou werk te behaal: Harde werk. ‘…Mense wat hard werk, het meer as wat hulle kan begeer.’ Vra enige werkgewer en sy of hy sal vir jou sê dat om goeie werknemers te kry, hulle grootste uitdaging is. ‘…Hulle wat fluks is, word ryk’ (Spreuke 10:4 NLV). Ywer beteken dat jy selfgedissiplineerd, gemotiveerd, waaksaam en betroubaar is en dat jy iets waarmee jy begin het, klaar maak. Dit maak dit kosbaar, omdat ywerige mense moeilik is om te vind (sien Spreuke 12:27).
Die Bybel leer ons dat jou baas verantwoordelik is om jou ‘n regverdige dagloon te betaal en dat dit jou verantwoordelikheid is om vir hulle ‘n regverdige dag se werk te gee. Daar is ‘n verhaal van ‘n man wat vir ‘n werksonderhoud gegaan het en gevra is of hy verantwoordelik is. Hy het geantwoord: ‘Ja, elke keer wat iets by my vorige werk verkeerd gegaan het, het die baas gesê dat ek daarvoor verantwoordelik was!’
Op ‘n ernstiger noot, wil jy voorspoedig wees? Dan moet jy sorg dat jou werkgewer voorspoedig is! Harde werk, nie politiek of manipulasies nie, sal vir jou bevordering sorg. ‘Dié wat pligsgetrou werk, word leiers; lui mense word slawe’ (Spreuke 12:24 NLV).
Lui werknemers kla oor dinge soos onregverdige base, sisteme wat teen hulle tel en dat ander mense die baas se witbroodjies is en dus bo hulle bevorder word. Hierde mense wil die voordele hê wat ander geniet, maar hulle is nie bereid om daarvoor te werk nie. Mense wat hard werk, kry meer as wat hulle begeer: die bevrediging van ‘n werk wat goed gedoen is, ‘n sin van selfwaarde, ‘n reputasie van integriteit, die vertroue van ander mense, werksekuriteit, wins, bevordering en belangrikste van alles, God se ‘Welgedaan.’
Sielskos: Jos 1:7-8; 2 Tim 3:14-17; Ps 119:1-16
2022-08-20
Spreuke 22:29 DB
Salomo skryf: ‘Ken jy ‘n goeie vakman wat hard en getrou werk? Hy is by almal in aanvraag. Belangrike mense soek sy dienste. Hy sal dit nog ver bring in die lewe’ (vers 29 DB). Vaardigheid is egter nie geneties nie; jy moet daaraan werk. Soms beteken dit middernagtelike inspanning, om tot breekpunt gestrek te word en om te weier om met minder tevrede te wees.
Soos jy na ware vakmanne kyk, neem jou agting vir hulle toe. Jy merk hul aandag aan detail, weiering om kort paaie te kies, geduld, toewyding en trots in hul werk, op. Hulle inspireer vertroue en respek. Daar is nie ‘n praktieser demonstrasie van ware Christenskap nie! Wanneer hulle praat, luister mense. Die Bybel sê dat jy jou werk moet doen, ‘…of dit nou met woorde of dade is, asof julle dit namens die Here Jesus doen. Só is julle heeltyd besig om deur Hom dank aan die Vader te bring’ (Kolossense 3:17 NLV).
Omdat jy Christus en sy Gees wat in jou woon verteenwoordig, moet jy die industriestandaard van voortreflikheid stel. Jou werknemers en kliënte moet die vertroue kan hê dat hulle net die beste werk by jou sal ontvang. ‘n Vaardige werker kan nie verloor nie, omdat God belowe dat hulle werk onvermydelik die aandag van mense wat hulle sal bevorder en beloon, sal trek (sien Spreuke 22:29 DB). Hulle mag dalk onder begin, maar soos room styg hulle na bo. Daniël, Sadrag, Mesag en Abednego het as slawe in Babel begin. Hulle het egter as die koning se naaste raadgewers opgeëindig. Hoekom? ‘Hy het gevind dat hulle in sake wat wysheid en insig vereis, tien keer beter was as al die towenaars en voorspellers in sy hele koninkryk’ (Daniël 1:20 NLV).
Sielskos: Rig 1-3; Mark 6:30-44; Ps 119:89-96; Spr 18:6-8
Proverbs 22:29 MSG
Solomon writes, “Skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don’t take a backseat to anyone” (v. 29 MSG). But skillfulness isn’t genetic; you have to work at it. Sometimes that means burning the midnight oil, stretching to your limits, and refusing to settle for less. As you watch true craftsmen, your esteem for them rises. You notice their attention to detail, refusal to cut corners, patience, dedication, and pride in their work. They inspire confidence and respect.
There is not a more practical demonstration of true Christianity! When they speak, people listen. If you doubt that, try sharing your faith with those who see you being dishonest, shoddy, and careless. It would be better to remain silent until you earn the right to be heard. The Bible says that whatever your work, “do it… in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17 NIV). Because you represent Christ and His Spirit lives within you, you should set the industry standard for excellence. Your employees and customers should have confidence that they will get nothing from you but the best.
A skillful worker can’t lose because God promises that their work will inevitably attract the attention of people who will promote and reward them (See Proverbs 22:29 MSG). They may start at the bottom, but like cream they rise to the top. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego started out as slaves in Babylon. But they ended up as the king’s closest advisers. Why? “Whenever the king asked for advice, he found their wisdom was ten times better than that of any of his other advisors” (Daniel 1:20 CEV).
Soul food: Judg 1-3; Mark 6:30-44; Ps 119:89-96; Prov 18:6-8
2022-08-19
Proverbs 24:16 NIV
Like any skill, mental, emotional, and spiritual resilience can be learned. Here’s how:
(1) Redefine setbacks as the gateway to something greater.
(2) Remember successful people don’t just face adversity, they embrace it.
(3) Tune out the critics and focus on doing your best.
(4) Wake up every day remembering that prayer and gratitude create a fertile environment for faith.
(5) Increase your faith-talk when you’re afraid.
(6) Learn from failure, and remember the many times you’ve succeeded.
(7) Visualise victory before going into battle.
(8) Refuse to dwell on the past or worry about the future; today is where you have the most influence.
(9) Identify a solution instead of complaining.
(10) Replace self-doubt with faith-talk.
(11) When things look hopeless, remember “with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27 KJV).
(12) When you feel alone, think of all those who have helped you and who love and support you.
(13) Pray for guidance when you’re in over your head (See James 1:5).
(14) Rest when you’re tired, but don’t give up. Finish strong in everything you do.
(15) Remember you “can do all things through Christ” when you think you can’t (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
(16) Recognise what you can’t control, focus on what you can, and surrender the rest to God.
(17) Exercise physically to give yourself a sense of control and fight depression.
(18) Laugh to reduce stress, strengthen your immune system, and improve arterial blood flow.
(19) Be grateful. Research shows that people who sent a letter or email of thanks to somebody who helped them, stayed in a better mood for up to a month.
Soul food: Ruth 1-4; Mark 6:14-29; Ps 119:81-88; Prov 18:1-5
