The Labor in the Lord!

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:56-58 NIV

Most of us work and labor for financial gain, in order to provide for us and others. If we have enough money, then we would like to go vacations or to buy things that we want or what we really need. It is nice to do these things for us and other people but we have to think why we work and think how God will be glorified through us. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10) I was really obsessed with money several years ago since my parents always have provided money for me when I needed money. I am really thankful for my parents but I, sometimes, feel uncomfortable with it. Because of my feelings, I really have wanted to work but there is not much things that I can do. Long time ago, I keep telling them that there must be some kind of a job that I could do, and I was kind of frustrated. Since they have more experience than me with jobs, I am willing to trust them, even though I still want to provide money for myself.  In addition, when I have a job or career, I am going to provide for my family, who have supported me financially.

Luke 16:19-31 tells us a story of the rich man and Lazarus, the beggar. The rich man, who was dressed in purple and fine linen, lived in luxury everyday and had all things that he wanted. Nonetheless, Lazarus was probably really poor that he could not care of himself (verse 20-21). When they both died, Lazarus was in Abraham side, which was the kingdom of heaven, but the rich man was in Hades, where the place of torment was. Because of this, the rich man probably regretted how he lived in the world. This story is telling me that we have to care for one another. Mark 10:17-23, even, tells about caring for others above ourselves. This is because Mark 10:17-23 is a story about the rich man, who want to have eternal life. Since Jesus told him that he has to sell everything that he owned to the poor, in order to inherit the eternal life, he went away from Him sad because he did not want to lose his wealth. Hence, Jesus Christ declares, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:24-25)

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:19-24)

Volunteering ministry work  seems to be pointless in a worldly perspective, due to the fact that we cannot earn money from them. However, volunteering matters to God so much if we do them wholeheartedly and do them in a way that glorifies God, such as doing them out of the love of God. For instance, I was quite busy in my New York Church because of volunteering on Sundays. I had to come to the church at 10:30am for volunteering in the Healing Camp ministry, which was like Korean church ministry for various people who have disabilities. After Healing Camp, I served as a greeter and an usher in Promise International Fellowship, the English Ministry for the church services, from 12:45pm. I had several jobs to do in Promise International Fellowship. In addition, I served as a volunteer coordinator in Powehouse ministry, the Christian ministry for serving kids through various sports, on Saturdays. However, I know that I did not serve any of these volunteering jobs in vain and do not regret any of them at all, because I was doing them for the glory and the kingdom of God. Furthermore, while I was writing devotionals for others when I was in New York, I sensed the Spirit of God all the time when I write. Because of this, I have decided that I am going to be a Christian Writer other than just writing devotionals.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)