Work Is A Gift Of GraceSample

## Blessing the Church It is a blessing to work. Out of the overflow of work, others’ needs can be met. When there is no overflow from your work, others can help meet your needs. God cares for those in need. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God’s love for the unfortunate is well documented. He cares for widows, orphans, and the poor. He desires for us to do so as well. Our work is an avenue through which we can bless others as God continuously blesses us. The Apostle Paul’s mission that was close to his heart was the church. Through our work, we can care for the church and the ministry that emanates from the body of Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 2:9, Paul wrote, “For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.” Paul makes the case that all of his labor and toil were for the sake of the gospel – the work of the church – to share the good news of Christ. Work provides a way for us to support the work of God and the church. Paul did not want to be a burden to the church. We see Paul’s love in sharing the gospel and expanding the church through his letters. In his letter to the Philippians, he thanks them for their support of his work on behalf of the gospel, which continued even while he was in prison. He was greatly encouraged because this church cared not only for his financial well-being but also for his emotional distress from his imprisonment. The church supported him from the beginning. Their support was of great help in supplying his necessities. The most telling evidence that our work is a gift of grace- is the blessing it is to us and others. This is how God’s economy works. He is graceful with us, then we extend grace and share the blessings of that grace. How beautiful it is to know that we can share this grace that comes from the abundance of our work. Work is a good gift of the grace of God. Our work gives us the opportunity to support the church in our community and around the world. The body of Christ supporting the work of the body of Christ...now that, is grace!