When you are hired for an employment position, there were certain stipulations required of you, the hours and days that you are to work, the type of work along with certain responsibilities that you must perform. It is an agreement between you and your prospective employer, some are negotiable, most are not.
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1st Cor. 6:20)
If you perform all the tasks set before you in accordance to the agreement, you will receive the wages agreed upon.
“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10)
What every employer considers, which can only be done after that person has been hired, is their attitude toward the responsibilities given them, are they enthusiastic or morose, do they perform their responsibilities only because they have agreed to?
“Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.” (Psalm 94:7)
There are those who will do more than what is required of them, more than just what they were hired to do, they possess ambition and drive, they excel not only at their job, but at searching for ways to make it more efficient, more profitable for their employer. There are rewards for these that are only given to those who have determined to do the best they can for the one they work for.
“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matt. 25:23)
And then there are those who will only do what has been set before them, it’s just a job, and soon the complaining will begin. They begin to see themselves as a necessary addition to what was working perfectly well before they arrived. They are not only no longer profitable, but any enthusiasm they might have had on their first day of work has all but disappeared.
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18)
Soon they are gone, replaced with another who seems willing and able to assist that business in growing, even thriving, but first impressions can be deceiving, and so time and patience must be the way of the employer.
“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; (2nd Tim. 4:10a)
My friends, how much you want to do for the glory of the Living God is how much you will do, if you understand fully, and agree with the responsibilities, the stipulations placed before you.
You must love your neighbor as yourself while at the same time dying to self. You must hate mother, father, brother, even yourself, never placing anyone or anything at any time above your love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20)
You must hate evil, you must correct, reprove and rebuke in love always, judging with righteous judgment. You must seek the lost for His glory, keeping yourself unspotted from this wicked and evil world as you do so, and you must never, ever use the grace bestowed upon you for your own advantage.
The armor of God given unto you is never to be removed, the sword of the Spirit is to be used with wisdom and knowledge. And all those who do not serve and love your employer you are to have no personal relationship with, not even allowing them into your home, much less into the assembly of believers.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2nd Cor. 6:14)
If you agree to all this, you are hired, but be aware, your attitude in all this is under constant surveillance.
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2nd Tim. 2:19)