Working for Jesus
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17, NIV
Young Harry worked for a shoemaker named Dan Mackay. He would take a piece of cowhide sole and soak it in water. Next he would pound it with a hammer until the leather was hard and dry. Then, he would nail the sole to the shoe. It was a very tiring and boring task.
One day Harry visited another shoemaker whose business seemed to be making more money than Dan's. He noticed that the shoemaker did not pound the leather at all. After soaking he would nail it directly to the shoe. He asked the shoemaker, “Are the soles as good as the ones pounded dry?” With a wicked wink, the shoemaker answered, “No. But the shoes come back quicker this way.” Harry rushed to Dan and shared what he thought was a clever business idea. Dan said, “I am making shoes for the glory of God. On judgment day, I don’t want Jesus to show me a pair of my shoes and say, ‘This is not your best, Dan.’ I want the Lord to commend me, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’” (Adapted from the illustration database of the Biblical Studies Foundation)
Tha reply made such an impression on Harry. He wrote about Dan: “Often when I have been tempted to carelessness, I thought of Dan. His example has stirred me up to seek to do all as for Him who died to redeem me.” Harry grew up to become a famous Bible expositor. Harry or Henry Allan Ironside wrote more than 60 books as well as many pamphlets and articles on Bible subjects. For 18 years, he was pastor of the Moody Memorial Church in Chicago. He faithfully served the Lord for 50 years.
What about you? Does the way you conduct your business draw people closer or farther from God? It is our mandate to make a positive impact in the workplace. It is interesting that Paul, after commanding, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17), a few verses later wrote: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (v. 23). We are essentially working for the Lord Jesus. Even as business owners, we are really just His stewards. One day we will face Him and account for the way we took care of His business.
Brethren, keep in mind we are Jesus’ employees and managers.
Young Harry worked for a shoemaker named Dan Mackay. He would take a piece of cowhide sole and soak it in water. Next he would pound it with a hammer until the leather was hard and dry. Then, he would nail the sole to the shoe. It was a very tiring and boring task.
One day Harry visited another shoemaker whose business seemed to be making more money than Dan's. He noticed that the shoemaker did not pound the leather at all. After soaking he would nail it directly to the shoe. He asked the shoemaker, “Are the soles as good as the ones pounded dry?” With a wicked wink, the shoemaker answered, “No. But the shoes come back quicker this way.” Harry rushed to Dan and shared what he thought was a clever business idea. Dan said, “I am making shoes for the glory of God. On judgment day, I don’t want Jesus to show me a pair of my shoes and say, ‘This is not your best, Dan.’ I want the Lord to commend me, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’” (Adapted from the illustration database of the Biblical Studies Foundation)
Tha reply made such an impression on Harry. He wrote about Dan: “Often when I have been tempted to carelessness, I thought of Dan. His example has stirred me up to seek to do all as for Him who died to redeem me.” Harry grew up to become a famous Bible expositor. Harry or Henry Allan Ironside wrote more than 60 books as well as many pamphlets and articles on Bible subjects. For 18 years, he was pastor of the Moody Memorial Church in Chicago. He faithfully served the Lord for 50 years.
What about you? Does the way you conduct your business draw people closer or farther from God? It is our mandate to make a positive impact in the workplace. It is interesting that Paul, after commanding, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17), a few verses later wrote: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (v. 23). We are essentially working for the Lord Jesus. Even as business owners, we are really just His stewards. One day we will face Him and account for the way we took care of His business.
Brethren, keep in mind we are Jesus’ employees and managers.
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