Welcome to the last post in the godly goals series–it’s all about what it mans to work for the Lord. I’ve had such a sweet time digging into what the Bible has to say about goals and working toward them. In case you’ve missed a post–I’ve linked them all here:
- Godly Goals and Identity
- What the Bible Says About Goals
- Striving Toward Godly Goals
- What the Bible Says about Ambition
The previous posts will explain the premise of this series. Today we’ll just dive in. The last “goal-y” word we are going to examine is “Labor/Work.” When we think about goal setting it’s hard not to think about work. These words will help us see what it looks like to work for the Lord.
Ergon
Ergon: business, employment, that which any one is occupied
We’ll start our discussion of doing work for the Lord with a straightforward word. Ergon directly correlates to our modern understanding of “job.” When it comes to goals–our career ambitions (keep last week’s discussion of ambition in mind) tend to be near the top of the list. This is especially true when I speak with young adults leaving high school, or in the throws of deciding “what to do” with their life.
While I cannot give tell you what type of career you should pursue. I can point you to Scripture. Throughout the Bible, God tells us what His will looks like and what He wants us to focus on. He doesn’t tell us specifically to be a nurse or a designer, but He does tell us to love Him, cultivate peace, love each other and tell others about the Salvation Jesus offers. If you are running after godly goals, you are pursing God’s work–no matter what your 9-5 might be.
In addition to describing jobs/tasks, Ergon can also mean deeds that we work at and “works” of art. This word is used well over 100 times throughout the New Testament. For this study, we are looking specifically at how ergon is used to describe jobs/tasks. (If you are interested in its other uses, follow this link to see the concordance page with all of its uses.)
The Work of the Lord
Many of the verses below reference “the work of the Lord.” This primarily refers to the work God has for all believers. There are many references to this type of work that can give us specifics–but Jesus summed it up with the Great Commission.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20
Our godly goals should ultimately align with Jesus’ commission to us. No matter what we are working at, everything should point back to Jesus, the Christ, our Savior. As you work for the Lord your day-to-day work may look different than mine. Together as members of the “body of Christ” we are all working toward this common goal.
Ergon in Scripture
Now that we’ve got an understanding of the word, let’s see how ergon is used in the Bible and what it teaches us about our duty to work for the Lord. The word translated from “ergon” is in bold in the verses.
God is glorified when we complete the tasks He gives us. Some God-given works are able to be completed. (Be sure to understand this verse in context as the speaker is Jesus Himself. See the full chapter here.)
I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.
Godly work can be collaborative. When carrying out godly goals and work, we should us discretion about partnerships.
Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.
We should be all-in when pursuing godly work. When we work at godly goals, our labor is not in vain.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Many can work be doing the work of the Lord. It may look different for each individual.
When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am.
Kopiaō
Kopiaō: to labour with wearisome effort, to toil
Kopiaō occurs in the New Testament 28 times. Whereas ergon refers to something more akin to employment or a job, kopiaō speaks of the effort and toll working can take on us.
Kopiaō describes the utter fatigue labor can bring onto us. It’s usually used in the realm of physical exhaustion–being spent after an outpouring of effort.
Kopiaō is something I relate to every day as I drag myself out of bed and work on our remodel while also being a stay-at-home-mom to a toddler. I get it. You probably do too. The work of our daily lives is exhausting. God understands. Let’s see what Scripture can teach us about this kind of labor. The word translated from kopiao is in bold.
God knows work is tiresome. He understands our limits. And most of all He knows that labor of all kinds (whether after godly goals or worldly goals) leaves us exhausted. When understanding labor, it’s vital to believe Jesus offers us true rest.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
This kind of effort should be used to supply our own needs and those who cannot work in this manner themselves.
I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Kopiaō is not about physical strength. Women are not discounnted from earnest, hard work.
Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
One goal of our work is to supply for our needs and share the excess of our labor with others.
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Hard work should be acknowledged. Who is working hard for you? Notice them and encourage them in their efforts.
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.
Energeō
Energeō: to be operative, be at work, put forth power
Does the word energeō look familiar? It shares a root with our modern, English word for energy. It’s a no-brainer that pursuing godly goals will require us to put forth energy. However, when I looked in to the words I’d be covering for today’s final post in this series–I was surprised to see who is putting forth energy in Scripture.
Unlike ergon (a job) and kopiaō (tiresome effort), energeō is typically reserved to describe the work of God or another un-mortal force. God cannot grow weary–therefore kopiaō will never describe him. Let’s look at a couple verses to remind ourselves that pursuing godly goals is not a lonely walk. God is alongside us, pouring out effort in the things that truly matter most.
God is at work in our gifts.
[After a discussion on spiritual giftings.]…There are different kinds of working [literally activity/effort], but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
God works in our belief.
So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?
God’s work is seen in Christ’s resurrection.
…the mighty strength He exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
God’s power is at work within believers.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Conclusion
Thanks for joining me and please tell me your thoughts on this series–or shoot me ideas of other topics you’d like to see here on the blog. What are you godly goals? I’m praying that you are fining lots of joy as you align your personal goals with God’s heart.
