The Kind of Work God Blesses — Part 1 - Pastor Rick's Daily Hope

Summary

Pastor Rick's Daily Hope: "The Kind of Work God Blesses — Part 1" Summary

Release Date: February 10, 2025

In the episode titled "The Kind of Work God Blesses — Part 1," Pastor Rick delves into the spiritual and practical aspects of succeeding in one's professional life. As part of his ongoing series, "Discover Your Destiny," Pastor Rick explores how faith intersects with various life domains, focusing this episode specifically on work. Through biblical insights, personal anecdotes, and actionable advice, he outlines seven key principles that align one's career with God's blessings.

Introduction to the Series: Discover Your Destiny

[00:02] Pastor Rick
Pastor Rick welcomes listeners to "Pastor Rick's Daily Hope," introducing the series "Discover Your Destiny." He emphasizes the exploration of practical steps to grow in multiple areas of life—spirit, mind, body, relationships, and career. This episode marks the beginning of a focused discussion on work, aiming to uncover God's plan for listeners' professional futures.

Understanding God's Blueprint for Work

[00:41] Rick Warren
Pastor Rick begins by highlighting the importance of work in one's life, referencing Proverbs 22 to underscore that skilled workers are often elevated in their fields:

"When you commit yourself to becoming skilled at your work, God is gonna prosper you. You're gonna find promotions in your life." ([00:41])

He asserts that faith in God, rather than economic conditions, governs career success:

"The economy does not control your success in your career. Your faith in God does." ([03:10])

Key Takeaway: Success in one's career is deeply rooted in faith and dedication, not merely external economic factors.

The Essence of Success: Motive, Method, and Meaning

Pastor Rick emphasizes that the specific role or job one holds is less significant than the underlying motives, methodologies, and the personal growth experienced through the work:

"Motive, method, and meaning matter more than money." ([05:35])

He explains that God values character over career achievements because while careers are transient, character endures:

"You're not taking your career to heaven; you are taking your character." ([07:00])

Key Takeaway: Focusing on why you work, how you work, and who you become through your work is paramount for divine blessings and personal fulfillment.

Seven Keys to Succeeding at Work: The Acrostic S.U.C.C.E.E.D.

Pastor Rick introduces an acrostic to outline the seven principles for professional success:

Start Working Enthusiastically (S)

[09:15]
Enthusiasm is a spiritual discipline grounded in one's relationship with God, not the nature of the job itself. Referencing Ecclesiastes 9:10, he commands:

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." ([09:20])

He further breaks down enthusiasm into three components:
- This is a Test from God:
  
  "The job you're in right now, it's not nearly as important as what's happening in your attitude." ([12:05])
- God is Watching:
  
  "If you want God's blessing on your career, you must start working enthusiastically where you are right now." ([14:40])
- Attitude Determines Joy:
  
  "A lousy job's a lousy job, but it's even worse when you complain about it." ([17:50])
Key Takeaway: Approaching work with enthusiasm, viewing it as a divine test, and maintaining a positive attitude are foundational for God’s blessings.
Understand Who You're Really Working For (U)

[19:30]
Recognizing that ultimately, one works for the Lord rather than earthly supervisors changes one's perspective and attitude:

"Work hard and cheerfully whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord." ([19:35])

This mindset transforms mundane tasks into acts of worship, fostering an eternal perspective:

"Any job can become an act of worship." ([19:50])

Key Takeaway: Shifting focus from earthly bosses to serving the Lord imbues work with greater purpose and spiritual significance.
Concentrate on Building Your Character (C)

[20:05]
Emphasizing character development over career achievements, Pastor Rick cites Romans 5:3-4:

"Endurance develops strength of character in us." ([20:10])

He discusses the inevitability of temptation and its role in character building:

"Every temptation is an opportunity to do good." ([19:55])

Key Takeaway: Challenges and temptations at work are opportunities for personal growth and strengthening one's character.

Overcoming Temptations and Building Positive Relationships

Pastor Rick addresses common workplace temptations—such as impatience, anger, and the desire for retaliation—and offers strategies to transform these into character-building moments:

"Return good for evil. Bless those who curse you." ([18:45])

He underscores the importance of loving and caring for coworkers, even those who may not reciprocate:

"The number one lesson in life, the number one reason God puts you on this planet is to learn how to love." ([19:15])

By fostering genuine relationships and exhibiting love, one not only cultivates a positive work environment but also aligns with God's teachings:

"God is love. He wants you to be like him." ([19:25])

Key Takeaway: Developing loving and caring relationships at work, regardless of circumstances, leads to a harmonious and blessed professional life.

Integrating Faith into Daily Work Life

Throughout the episode, Pastor Rick weaves in biblical references to reinforce his points, encouraging listeners to integrate their faith into every aspect of their professional lives. By doing so, work becomes more than a means to an end; it becomes a platform for spiritual growth and service.

Notable Quotes:

"The Bible says, whatever you do, do it with all your might." ([00:41])
"Enthusiasm is based on why you are working, not what you're doing." ([16:30])
"Love is the glaring omission in almost every secular business book." ([19:05])

Conclusion: Embracing God's Plan for Your Work

As the episode concludes, Pastor Rick reiterates the importance of aligning one's work life with divine principles. By adopting the seven keys—starting with enthusiasm, understanding one's true employer, and focusing on character—listeners are positioned to receive God's blessings in their professional endeavors.

Final Thought:
Pastor Rick encourages believers to view their current job as a stepping stone in God's greater plan, urging them to cultivate a spirit of excellence, love, and integrity in all their work-related activities.

Upcoming: Stay tuned for the next episode in the series, where Pastor Rick will continue to explore God's guidance for succeeding in various life domains.

Transcript

Pastor Rick (0:02)

Hey there, everybody, and welcome to Pastor Rick's Daily Hope. And whether today is your first time tuning in or if you're a regular listener, we're really excited that you're here. Well, today, Pastor Rick is continuing his series called Discover your destiny. So get ready to explore the practical steps to grow in all areas of your life, spirit, mind, body, relationships, and even your career. So stick with us as we uncover God's incredible plan for your future. All right, well, let's get started. Here's part one of a message called the kind of work God blesses.

Rick Warren (0:41)

This week, we're gonna look at your work. We've been looking for several weeks at different key areas of your life. Your health, your finances. We're gonna look at your family. This week, we're looking at your work. Now, the Bible tells us In Proverbs, chapter 22, when you see people skilled in their work, you know that they end up standing before kings, not working for ordinary people. God says that when you commit yourself to becoming skilled at your work, God is gonna prosper you. You're gonna find promotions in your life. Let me just say it this way. The economy does not control your success in your career. Your faith in God does. The economy does not control your success in your career. Your faith in God does. And if you have faith in God and you're trusting him and you're doing it his way, you're going to find that he helps you, even in spite of what's going on all around you. And what I want to do this weekend is just give you an overview of. Of some of the key things that God says about what causes some people to be successful and what causes others to not be successful in their work. I can summarize it this way. What you do is not as important to your success or for that matter, to God. What you do is not as important as why you do it, how you do it, and what you become while you're doing it. You could have 100 different careers that all would be in the will of God. It's not like a bullseye that, oh, I could only do this, and this is the only thing God wants me to do. There might be a hundred different careers that God would say, it's your choice. Whatever I shaped you to do, what you'd love to do, what you're passionate to do, I can bless all of them. Because what God is more interested in is in your character than your career. Because you're not taking your career to heaven and you are taking your character that's why. Why you do what you do, how you do what you do and what you become is far more important than the job. God can bless any job if you're working on this. In other words, let me just say it this way. Motive, method and meaning matter more than money. You try saying that. Motive, method, method and meaning matter more than money. That's why I'll try saying that. Motive, method, meaning matter more than money. That's what God says. Why? Because none of that's going to be taken to heaven. You're going to leave it all behind. But what you become in the meantime is very, very important. Now what I wanna do, as I said, is just give you an overview. So we're gonna look at seven keys to succeeding at work. And I, just for fun, put in a little acrostic. S U C C E E D. How you succeed at work. All right, let's get into it. Number one, if I want to be blessed in my work, for my work to be blessed by God, first I must start working enthusiastically wherever I am. I must start working enthusiastically where I am right now. Now, it doesn't matter if it's a menial job, it doesn't matter if it's a part time job. It doesn't matter if you hate the job. It doesn't matter if you intend to quit. If you want God's blessing on your career, you must start working enthusiastically where you are right now. You see? You gotta be kidding me. That's what the Bible says. Look at this verse. Ecclesiastes 9, 10. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. Now notice, it doesn't say, whatever you like to do, do it with all your might. It says, whatever job you've got at the point, at this point, whatever you find yourself doing, if you're cleaning toilets, do it with all your might. That's not a suggestion, that's a command. Whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might, you were to do. When you work, you're to work with zeal. You're to work with passion. You're to work with a good attitude. You're to work with enthusiasm. You say, wait a minute, Rick, you don't know my job. If you had my job, you would not work with enthusiasm. It doesn't matter what your job is because enthusiasm is a spiritual discipline. Enthusiasm is based on why you are working. It's not based on what you're doing. You can be enthusiastic about anything if you have a right reason for doing it. Enthusiasm is not Based on the fact that it's fun to do, it's paying you a lot of money or anything like that. It's based on why you're doing what you're doing. The word enthusiasm comes from the Greek word in en and theos. Theos. En. En is the word for in. Means to be in something. Theos is the word for God. Theology is the study of God. Theos is the word for God, which, by the way, Theodore and Dorothy means. Both mean same thing. Lover of God. That's what it means. Theodore and Dorothy mean lover of God. It's two Greek words. And so what this is, is he's saying you must be enthusiastic. To be enthusiastic means to be enthused. Which means to be in God has nothing to do with your job. It has everything to do with whether you are in God or not. How do you get enthusiastic? You get in God. When you get in God, you will be enthusiastic. It's based on why you're working, not what you're doing. Now, if you wanna learn to be enthusiastic. Cause God says whatever you wanna do, if you want me to bless it. I don't care if you want. If this isn't your permanent job, you've only got it for a little while. He says, I'm watching you to see if you're enthusiastic in this job. In this. This isn't a perfect job. But in this one, are you enthusiastic? Are you in God? And if you wanna be enthusiastic about any work, all you have to do is remember three things. Number one, this is a test from God. The job you're in right now, it's not nearly as important as what's happening in your attitude. Remember, we've talked about this now for 12 weeks. That life is a test and life is a trust. And God is seeing what he can trust you with and how much he can test you with here. So he knows if you're faithful in little things, he can trust you with more in eternity. This life is preparation for the next. And the Bible says this, Luke 16. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much. But if you've not been trustworthy with somebody else's property or business or job or assets, who's gonna give you your own? God says, I'm watching to see if you're gonna be enthusiastic even in the little things of life. So you remember, first it's a test. Second thing you gotta remember is, is that even though nobody else may be watching what you're doing, God is. Doesn't matter what you're doing doesn't matter what your job is. It may be the most boring job in the world. God is watching. And he's watching to see your attitude. Look at this verse on the screen. Work hard so that God can say to you, well done. Be a good workman. One who does not need to be ashamed when God examines your work. He said, be positive about that. That's the third thing you need to remember, is that if I wanna be enthusiastic, I gotta remember that my attitude determines my joy. My attitude determines my joy. A lousy job's a lousy job, but it's even worse when you complain about it. Isn't that true? Does complaining ever make a job better? Does it ever make a job easier? Does griping ever make an unpleasant job more pleasant? No, it makes it worse. And that's why the Bible says this. The diligent find freedom in their work, while the lazy are oppressed by work. Why? It's all in your attitude. And the first thing God says, before we can talk about anything else than succeeding in your life, you gotta change your attitude. You got some stinkin thinkin' you need a checkup from the neck up. Okay? And you gotta change your attitude about the work you're doing right now. It may suck, but you need to have an enthusiastic attitude. Because the Bible says, whatever you do, do it with all your might. Romans 12:11 says this. Never be lazy in your work. Why? Cause God's watching. Nobody else may be, but God is. But serve the Lord. How? Enthusiastically. Now that leads us to the second key to succeeding in life. First, start working enthusiastically. Where I am, the U stands for Understand who I'm really working for. I need to understand who I'm really working for. Now this will turn your attitude around. See, the truth is, neither your boss nor your board is really your Lord. Jesus is your Lord, not the board. Your boss is maybe your supervisor, but he's not your ultimate. He's not the big boss. You know, when you play video games, you always want to go after the big boss because he's the one who's got all the controls. Now I need to understand who I'm really working for. Colossians 3:23. Work hard and cheerfully whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord. Circle that for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward. And the master you are serving is Christ. Now that'll change your whole attitude. It's easier to be enthusiastic when you think I'm not really doing it for this guy or this woman. I'm doing it for the Lord. I'm doing it as unto the Lord. And you can do anything. You can clean dishes to the Lord. You can. You can scrape paint for the Lord. You can repair a car for the Lord. You could do any job. When you turn it from, I'm doing it for my boss, or I'm doing it for a paycheck, or I'm doing it for the Lord. You just turned your work into worship. And when you turn work into worship, you know what you're doing. You're storing up credits in heaven. You're storing up treasures in heaven. You're making an eternal deposit in heaven. The Bible says in First Corinthians 10:31. So whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you do it all. Circle the word all for the glory of God. I don't care if it's rearranged in papers, signing bills of lading or whatever it is. Any job can become an act of worship. If a you do it enthusiastically, that is in God. Lord, I'm doing it because this is a test. You're watching me, and I want a good attitude. And number two, I'm doing it as if I'm doing it for you. Number three, the third key to success is concentrate on building my character. Why? Because your character's far more important than your career. What you become as a result of your work is far, far more important than any job you'll ever have. As I said, you're not taking your job to heaven. You're not taking your career to heaven. You're not taking some gold watch or some trophy to heaven. You're taking you. And so you want to work on. Concentrate on building character. As I said, God's more interested in what you become than what you do. Now look at this verse. Romans 5, 3, 4. We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials because we know they're good for us. They help us learn to endure and endurance develops strength of character in us. And character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. Now, let me explain this to you. A lot of people get freaked out every time they get tempted by something. They get tempted by greed, or they get tempted by pride, or they get tempted by sensuality or sexuality. And they think, wait a minute, I.