WHY IT MATTERS //
Life with God is not devoid of effort. There are things God calls us to do. What matters is what we are doing, why we are doing it and whose strength we are using to do it. When we work from God’s grace to do things that He asks us to do we will find that there is provision and peace. When we do things without his guidance, from our own strength, we will often find ourselves toiling and striving without peace.
In Genesis 2 we see God plant a fruitful garden (vs 9) then He places Adam in the middle of it to work and take care of it (vs 15). This is a picture of working from grace; receiving an assignment from God along with his provision to steward the work that God initiates. Then in Genesis 3:17-19 we read the curse that Adam received in response to breaking covenant with God. Now through sweat and toil he will plant himself and he will reap little for his effort. Jesus has broken every curse that sin brought into the world. This include the curse of toiling for little fruit. God desires for us to live fruitful lives, His way.
WHAT IT'S TALKING ABOUT //
The book of Matthew is one of four gospels written to give an account of the life and major events of the ministry of Jesus. In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches us to work for things that will last for eternity, not simply things that are temporal. The work that God calls us to do lays up treasure for us in heaven that can never be stolen or destroyed.
Matthew 6:19-24 NIV
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
23 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!
24 “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.