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Key Bible Verse:But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33), NIV Dig Deeper: Matthew 6:25-34

"I'm embracing the reality that God hasn't promised us hard-free times or a 'suffering lite' brand of Christianity," said Steve in the midst of his unemployment. "But he has promised to be there with us through every moment. Am I going to tap into his limited resources or just try to 'scrape' by on my own puny production? My Bible doesn't know the word 'coping.' It only knows being an 'overcomer.'" [See Revelation 2-3.]

Steve said reading a commentary by theologian Matthew Henry while out of work threw a new light on the meaning of "employment" for him. Our spirits, Henry wrote, are to be employed in prayer and in the service of God. "It reinforced within me that my 'employment' in God's service wasn't dependent on a paycheck," he said. "My prayer life, my devotional life, my worship life were intended for 24/7 employable service—in which I was available for deployment by God for service to him and others."

For the believer, [today's Key Bible Verse] should be more than a Christian clich. In [today's Key Bible Verse and Dig Deeper], by "these things," Jesus was referring to the necessities of life—food, clothing, shelter. Steve is one believer determined to take God at his word and to live out this promise.

—Stephen Adams in Back to Work!

My Response: How does Matthew 6:33 apply to my current employment situation?

Thought to Apply: We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.—Charles Swindoll (preacher, writer)

Adapted from Back to Work! (Moody, 2009) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.

Copyright © 2010 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
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Prayer for the Week

Dear Heavenly Provider, help me to trust in you and not in my ability to earn money; keep me from ever thinking my true value and worth is derived from my career or job title.

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