“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” – Matthew 6:33 NLT
In life, we often follow a cycle that includes going to school, finding a job, getting married, having children, becoming wealthy, and ultimately passing away. While it is God’s will for you to prosper, is this cycle of building a career and amassing wealth all there is to life? Is there more to it?
Your career may serve as a vehicle for fulfilling your purpose, but it is not your ultimate purpose. Life should not consist solely of the abundance of things you possess or obtain (Luke 12:15); there should be more to it. When reflecting on your life at the end, achieving your job ambitions should not be the only thing that stands out. As believers, our purpose in life extends beyond merely working at a decent job or making a living.
Let’s examine the life of David. He was an excellent administrator (1 Chronicles 18:14), a good shepherd (1 Samuel 17:15, 34–35), a keen hunter (1 Samuel 16:18), and a talented musician. However, were these activities his true purpose in life? No! David did not allow his various roles to distract him from fulfilling his purpose. It is essential to realize that your career can serve as a channel through which you ultimately fulfill God’s purpose for your life.
Similarly, Peter and his brothers were professional fishermen before Jesus called them to be fishers of men (Matthew 4:18–19). He used their career as a means to reach out to them and invite them into ministry and purpose. This illustrates that being called by God is a higher calling that must be prioritized above one’s career.
It’s easy to become engrossed in your 8-to-5 job and lose sight of what truly matters: knowing Christ and making Him known. More importantly, is your spiritual life growing stronger or becoming weaker? Does your to-do list solely focus on your work or career? Is your job taking precedence over your devotion? These are crucial questions to consider. It’s commendable to be successful in your work and aspire to be wealthy, but if that is all you desire, it’s time to reassess your goals.
As believers, we are instructed in our anchor verse to seek first God’s kingdom. Seek His word and His will, and prioritize everything else accordingly. Let everything in your life be viewed through that lens. Allow your career to contribute to the propagation of the Gospel while excelling in it! However, always remember that life is more than what we do for a living.
Bible Reading Plan: 2 Kings 15-17; Luke 2:22-38