As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach we can quickly allow ourselves to fall into a slump of laziness. God calls us to faithfulness in all areas though. Let’s look at three (of the many) ways why we work towards due diligence and faithfulness to God in our everyday lives and duties.

We work with greater purpose

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

The glory of God is a big concept. It’s also a big deal, literally, a weighty matter. The word for glory carries an understanding of weight or heaviness. And whatever we do as new creatures by the blood of Christ and power of the Spirit in us is to be done for God’s glory. Or what? What happens if we don’t? The negative aspect of this verse shows that if we don’t do all to the glory of God then we must be doing it for someone else’s glory. That’s a dangerous place. We serve a rightfully jealous God who deserves our diligence. This is a heavy matter. We work with greater purpose than ourselves or the next generation. We work unto the eternal glory of an infinite God. Diligence becomes the norm when we see that we work with such a great purpose.

We work for greatness

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5).

Our work is not for a small end. Faithfulness is considered a work of God. The world is even often impressed and supportive of the diligent person. But a hasty person tends to shun people and complete diligence in trying to finish the task. We are not called to that tendency.  A devotional said it like this, “Be as diligent and hard-working as your health will permit, but never become so consumed by activity that you are unable to accomplish your goals. Avoid idleness, be active, but avoid over-committing yourself.”

We work for completeness

“Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace” (2 Peter 3:14).

Above I used the phrase “complete diligence.” It probably sounds strange, doesn’t it? But the biblical command of finishing well and accomplishing proper goals is not just a side note. God tells us to finish this Christian race we call life well (Hebrews 12). Lay aside the stuff that holds us back like sin. Undefiled Christians most clearly reflect Christ because they lean most completely on Him. Is your reliance on you or on Christ in your daily life? Our work is aimed to be completed and completed well.