How much of what you do from 9 to 5 will last? Explore 4 questions to evaluate the lasting value of the life and leadership investments you are making in your work.
When my twin boys were young, I was often the one who bathed them and helped them get ready for bed. On one such occasion, I was bending down and drying off Seth’s legs and feet when he so sweetly and innocently asked, “Daddy, how come you have diamonds in your hair?”
Awh…. right? Only from the mouth of babes. He was commenting on my almost jet black hair which was quickly graying, even in my early 30’s. If only some of that sweetness and innocence could last into their teen years!
The Reality of Temporal Value
I hate to bring attention to what can perhaps be a bit depressing, but here it goes:
Just like hair color and a child’s innocence, the reality is that much of what we do in our 9 to 5 work/ministry will not last.
Let me give you an example. About this time last year, my wife and I were well served by a health insurance agent that went above and beyond the call of duty to help us find one of the best insurance plans we’ve ever had as a family. Not only was it good coverage, the monthly premium was lower than we have paid in years.
Unfortunately, just a couple of weeks ago we received a notice from Colorado HealthOp. The notice stated that their non-profit business was going under due to a lack of government funding and wouldn’t be able to renew our plan.
Millions of dollars and human resource hours were collectively poured into building Colorado HealthOp. In addition, our agent contributed countless hours to provide us–and her other clients–with great service and a great health plan.
It was good while it lasted, but it didn’t go the distance. It provided short-term value, but not a lasting one.
Haven’t you experienced similar lessons of seeming futility in your work? How can we work in such a way that will have lasting (even eternal) value even if the goods, services, or ministries we provide do not last in the here and now?
The Hope of Lasting Value
Though the following verses are somewhat sobering, they nonetheless give the believer in Jesus Christ the hope that work can have lasting value–even when it doesn’t last on earth.
10…each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.
14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. ~ 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
A good thing to remember is that the apostle Paul wrote these verses to believers. This is important as he points out here, and in other scriptures, that our work is not what earns us the forgiveness of our sins, a righteous standing with God and a guaranteed entrance into heaven.
That is a gift of God’s grace based on whether we have a relationship with the Foundation, Jesus Christ. If you are unsure if you have a personal relationship with Jesus, (click here) to set up a time to talk. I would love the opportunity to help you become sure.
The Measurement of Lasting Value
However, our work–or “our business, employment that which any one is occupied” (as the word work could literally be translated above) does still matter. Both the quality and the quantity matter. Who we are working for, how we work, why we work–all matter.
When our work is weighed in the combustible balances of our One-Day accounting before God, it will either have lasting value like diamonds in one’s graying hair (or gold, silver and precious stones), or lost value (wood, hay and stubble) that burns.
Don’t you want your business and life’s work to be commended by God and rewarded? Do you want it to fall into the lasting value category–to be “burn worthy?” See below some diagnostic questions that might help.
To explore 3 other ways to ensure you are building your work and leadership foundation on what will last (read more here)
4 Diagnostic Questions to Evaluate Lasting Value
- What kinds of attitudes and actions have you been exhibiting lately in your life, work, and leadership that are “burn worthy?”
- Are people around you more favorably aware that you are an ambassador for Christ today than last week?
- Have more people been helped and blessed because God has entrusted your business / ministry to your care?
- Are Christians being influenced to grow in their faith because your business/ministry has brought you, reflecting Christ, into their lives?
Question for Sharing: What is one thing you identified that you can begin doing differently to make your life, work, and leadership more “burn worthy?” Share your answer on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn through one of the tabs below.