Prov 12:11 “He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.”
Working has always been God's plans for His creation. God didn't create Adam and place him outside of the garden so he could admire it from a distance but instead he was placed in the midst of the garden to till and tend it. Work before the fall of course was not arduous and painful but it was but it was still work. If I can paraphrase what the writer of Proverbs is telling us here; he says “If you tend to your garden you will find fulfillment, But if you chase after empty and worthless things [pipe dreams] you will find yourself just as empty and lacking as the thing you pursued”. You see satisfaction and fulfillment can be found in doing the work God has called us to do.
Here are some ways to find fulfillment in God's work: Tend to your garden; by placing special care to where God has placed you. The word tend also suggest the idea of keeping something close by. We are not to watch from a distance but be involved and in the midst of our work. When it comes to loving people and building relationships we cannot do it from a distance. Secondly if we are to find fulfillment and not burn out in the Lord's work we must Embrace the helpers; like Adam God has placed a "helper" or helpers in your life to accomplish the tasks at hand. The Christian's top three helpers are the Holy Spirit, aka "the Helper", your spouse, and the local body of Christ aka the church. D.L. Moody used to say that "it is better to put ten men work than to do the work of ten men." If we refuse the help God has provided us with whether it be spiritual or physical we will tire out and want to call it quits, but if we take the help and give God the glory we will find fulfillment. Remember there was a zoo in the garden that Adam needed to take care of as well. Just think of the tri-unity of God - this divine economy of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working together as One to accomplish His perfect plan. Thirdly Avoid distractions; like the writer of Proverbs challenges us to avoid frivolity and worthless pursuits - just empty dreams that lead to more emptiness. The garden wasn't short of these either, in there we find a deceptive serpent and tree promising knowledge but it's end was death. We are to avoid these pursuits at all costs and be on guard against the wiles of the devil if we are to find fulfillment in the work of the Lord. Paul says “And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve (attend upon) the Lord without distraction.” (1 Cor 7:35). Lastly if we are to find fulfillment in our walk you must Enjoy the fruit of your labor; Proverbs says "his land will be satisfied" in other words fulfillment will be found. Adam and Eve got to eat from the fruit of the garden especially of from the fruit of the tree of life. Their is life and satisfaction in obeying God's decrees and walking through all of His promises even if often they come with work. Your heart can be full if you serve the Lord faithfully; if you are diligent to raise godly children you will one day see that fruit in their lives, if you love on people by pouring out into them and investing in them you will see fruit, and in your own life as you flee from sin and continue to pursue God you will see personal fruit.
Here are some ways to find fulfillment in God's work: Tend to your garden; by placing special care to where God has placed you. The word tend also suggest the idea of keeping something close by. We are not to watch from a distance but be involved and in the midst of our work. When it comes to loving people and building relationships we cannot do it from a distance. Secondly if we are to find fulfillment and not burn out in the Lord's work we must Embrace the helpers; like Adam God has placed a "helper" or helpers in your life to accomplish the tasks at hand. The Christian's top three helpers are the Holy Spirit, aka "the Helper", your spouse, and the local body of Christ aka the church. D.L. Moody used to say that "it is better to put ten men work than to do the work of ten men." If we refuse the help God has provided us with whether it be spiritual or physical we will tire out and want to call it quits, but if we take the help and give God the glory we will find fulfillment. Remember there was a zoo in the garden that Adam needed to take care of as well. Just think of the tri-unity of God - this divine economy of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working together as One to accomplish His perfect plan. Thirdly Avoid distractions; like the writer of Proverbs challenges us to avoid frivolity and worthless pursuits - just empty dreams that lead to more emptiness. The garden wasn't short of these either, in there we find a deceptive serpent and tree promising knowledge but it's end was death. We are to avoid these pursuits at all costs and be on guard against the wiles of the devil if we are to find fulfillment in the work of the Lord. Paul says “And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve (attend upon) the Lord without distraction.” (1 Cor 7:35). Lastly if we are to find fulfillment in our walk you must Enjoy the fruit of your labor; Proverbs says "his land will be satisfied" in other words fulfillment will be found. Adam and Eve got to eat from the fruit of the garden especially of from the fruit of the tree of life. Their is life and satisfaction in obeying God's decrees and walking through all of His promises even if often they come with work. Your heart can be full if you serve the Lord faithfully; if you are diligent to raise godly children you will one day see that fruit in their lives, if you love on people by pouring out into them and investing in them you will see fruit, and in your own life as you flee from sin and continue to pursue God you will see personal fruit.
- HOW IS A NEGLECTED GARDEN SIMILAR TO A NEGLECTED LIFE? HOW WILL YOU SHARPEN YOUR SPIRITUAL GARDENING SKILLS THIS WEEK?
- "Tend; to stretch, to watch, to guard, to accompany as an assistant or protector." -Webster