It’s been said that when it comes to hard work, some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and others just fail to turn up. What is your attitude when it comes to hard work?

When I was young, I would shovel driveways in the winter and mow lawns in the summer. I had several paid accounts, but I also had several neighbors who were elderly. I always made it a point to do their yards and driveways for free. I didn’t make money on those yards, but there was profit in the fact that I was able to have conversations about the Gospel with them. Sometimes they would pay me with some cookies or a pie, but even without those treats, there was still profit in the work.

On the flipside, there are people who only talk about work. To be sure, they can talk a good game about the work, but it turns out to be nothing but idle chatter. Colossians 3:23 reminds us that whenever we have something to do, we should do it with all our heart – do it with gusto – as if we were doing it unto the Lord Himself. No matter what job you have – whether you are in ministry, working for yourself, or working for an employer, treat your boss as though you were working directly for Christ.

Hard work also builds personal character. I’ve never met someone who is a busy, hard-working person and spends their time tearing other people down.

So how do you react when hard work rears its head? Do you roll up your sleeves, or do you look for the nearest exit? Ask God to help you be the hard-working person that He desires you to be.