But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today (Deuteronomy 8:18).

Last Monday, we reflected on God’s creation of humanity as working beings. We work under God’s care and direction. Let’s reflect on this some more. It is so easy to ignore God while at work or at least to think that he has little interest in such mundane matters. But the Bible will have none of that. Wealth production is the work of God himself.

Most of us have some sort of job description, even if they are not written down. When I began helping my dad on the farm, I soon learned what was expected of me. It didn’t take long before I understood what was needed to be a successful pork producer and I began to lean into that.

God wants us to understand and lean into the job description he has given to us. We do not own things. We are stewards of what he has made and owns. He has equipped us with time, talents and treasures. These things are not ours to do with as we desire. They are his and to be used for his glory. Even though Joseph oversaw all Egypt, he needed to submit himself to Pharoah. Likewise, we have been given great responsibility but must submit ourselves to God.

This teaching can put us on a bit of an ego trip. Some Christians have misinterpreted this to mean they can ignore the things their supervisors tell them. Such an attitude does not jive with the Scriptures. Joseph submitted himself to Pharaoh. Paul writes, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1). Titus is instructed to, “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone” (3:1-2).

When we submit are labours to the Lord, it means that we seek to be the best employees and employers that we can be. We strive for excellence in our product, but also in our relationships. In submission, we recognize that success is not rooted in our abilities but in God’s blessing.

Will you submit to God in the big things and the small things? Will you lean on Him, His power, His love, and His grace, in whatever you do? Will you trust him with the outcome of your work?

Go with this blessing:

Wherever God takes you today, may He fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit and that you may live carefully—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.