Working For The Glory Of God

Why do most people work, and they work very hard? In the ultimate analysis, the usual normal reason is “to earn a living”.

The columnists in the three major newspapers in our country, the Manila Bulletin, Manila Times and the Philippines Herald, publish daily their articles because that is their main livelihood. And these popular well-known and well-liked columnists by many readers live a comfortable life, because they work hard and with dedication to their profession as columnist. There is nothing wrong with this. In fact, we have to thank and praise God that there are these class of intellectuals endowed by God with special ability to write, like the writers or authors of the books of the Bible, for otherwise no one will be interested to buy and read these newspapers, as those who are merely interested in news can just view their TV sets or listen to the radio for those in the hinterlands.

But there are those gifted by God with special knowledge and ability to write like Apostle Paul who authored thirteen books of the New Testament (including the book of Hebrews), and the gospel as written by Jesus’ disciples like Matthew, Mark, Dr. Luke and John, and Moses the writer of the five books of the Old Testament known as the Pentateuch, King David and other authors of the Psalms, the Prophets, and of course, my favorite author, the wise King Solomon who authored Song of Songs (Solomon), Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, for man to know the will of our God.

The Apostle Paul being a lawyer and a prolific writer, wrote to the Ephesian Christians:

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. ⁶ Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, ⁸ because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

⁹ And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. (Eph. 6:5-9 NIV)

Spiritually speaking, Christians are to serve the Lord God/Christ who is our Master and Lord. We are to work for the kingdom like slaves who do not work for their expected salary as they receive none, but to please our Lord/God/Savior for His glory and honor.

In ancient days, slaves work very hard without expecting any wages in return, so should be all true Christians. There is, however, a reward waiting for the faithful worker and servant in the kingdom of God. The Word of God promises: “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free” (Eph. 6:7-8 NIV).

Our FGBMFI Weekly Bulletin have contributor-writers. Unlike the columnists in the major newspapers in our beloved Philippines, they don’t receive any single cent, but they continue to write week after week despite their busy schedule earning a living. And to write an article worth circulating all over the world if published in our Saturday bulletin is not easy - it is hard and tedious work. The writer devotes much time thinking and praying on what to write about and in actually writing his thoughts based on the Word of God. Those who are writing know that their article have to be written and re-written several times, before it goes to the press for final printing. It is like a furniture maker making all rough edges smooth, so it will sell, otherwise it will lay in a corner only to gather dust. So, it also happens to a writing which no one is interested to read.

Our FGBMFI Davao City Chapter will give an award for “the best contributor” for the year 2014. But the award is nothing compared to the reward from our God which He promised in His Word. Congratulations and Praise God for the faithful and dedicated contributor-writers of our weekly bulletin for the glory of God. Whether they receive an award from the fellowship or not, a reward is waiting for all of them when they finally reach home - HEAVEN. Without these dedicated brethren who pray and work hard to write, we cannot come out as often with our one and ONLY bulletin all over the world which we know glorifies our God Jesus Christ in the flesh (John 1:14).