Through God’s grace, our work is meant to help others.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say,
‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'”
Luke 17:10 English Standard Version

It wouldn’t surprise me if beavers work their tails off until the day they die. So, what’s their reward for building this dam? What is their reward for their hard work?

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Granted, this dam allows the stream to slow down so that they can build their home, but is that their reward?

Maybe it’s not their reward, but the benefits of this dam affect the rest of the ecosystem. Their dams slow down erosion, provide sill waters for other animals and establishes deep holes for fish to survive the winter.

Society devalues hard work, but even more prevalent is the idea that when I work, it is solely for my benefit. Have we forgotten how our hard work benefits others?

We have been graced by God through the sacrifice of Christ. It was for our benefit that he labored on this planet. We are graced by God that our lives might help others. God is calling us today to think no only about how our work keeps our homes running, but how our labor benefits others.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner