The Choices of Our Labors

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2019 9:58 pm Post subject: The Choices of Our Labors

The Choices of Our Labors

Scripture:

Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes: vanity of vanities, and all is vanity.

For when a man labors in wisdom, and knowledge, and carefulness, he leaves what he has gotten to an idle man: so this also is vanity, and a great evil. For what profit shall a man have of all his labor, and vexation of spirit, with which he has been tormented under the sun? All his days are full of sorrows and miseries, even in the night he does not rest in mind: and is not this vanity?
(Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23)

Therefore if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth. For you are dead: and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ shall appear, who is your life, then you also shall appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: immorality, uncleanness, lust, evil concupiscence and covetousness, which is the service of idols.

Lie not one to another: stripping yourselves of the old man with his deeds, and putting on the new, him who is renewed unto knowledge, according to the image of him that created him. Where there is neither Gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free. But Christ is all and in all.
(Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11)

And one of the multitude said to him: Master, speak to my brother that he divide the inheritance with me. But he said to him: Man, who has appointed me judge or divider over you? And he said to them: Take heed and beware of all covetousness: for the life of a man does not consist in the abundance of things which he possesses. And he spoke a similitude to them, saying: The land of a certain rich man brought forth plenty of fruits. And he thought within himself, saying: What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said: This will I do: I will pull down my barns and will build greater: and into them will I gather all things that are grown to me and my goods. And I will say to my soul: Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years. Take your rest: eat, drink, make good cheer. But God said to him: you fool, this night do they require your soul of you. And whose shall those things be which you have provided? So is he that lays up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God.
(Luke 12:13-21)

Reflection:

What do we gain through the gathering of things? We gain, perhaps shelter, food, or items by which we may care for our hygiene and health. We gain, perhaps, that which will transport us from place to place so that we might work or play. We gain perhaps items which enable our work or comfort. We gain, perhaps, something which enables our memories. We gain, perhaps, that which we desire to secure and maintain. We gain, perhaps, that which renders to us perceived pleasures. We gain, perhaps, worries over that which will become obsolete, break, be taken or decay.

We gain, perhaps many things, but what, we should ask, has true value and meaning? What will last the expanse of time? What will last for a purpose beyond the dust of which we are made and of which we shall return?

We work to survive. We work for comforts. We work so we may play. We work so others might marvel. These are all efforts of our day, but what do our endeavors mean as time erases what we have done? If we are to place value upon what we do, we must first consider, what do we do for our soul and for the blessings of eternity?

We may need things for the moment. We may need things for our day. We may need things for a time when we are unable to gather, but do we consider the meaning of our endeavors for the day we stand before the Lord? What do we believe he will say if all we have to point to are the things we have gathered? What will He say as to the priorities to which we have placed our time?

Perhaps He will ask us what we did with what He entrusted to us and the vocations to which He called us. Perhaps He will remind us what opportunities of the heart we lost to the world. Perhaps He will remind us what we neglected in favor of our accumulations rather than what we might have shared of blessings, not only for the health of our soul, but also the souls entrusted to us and those He sent across our path. Perhaps He will remind us of the eternal blessings we chose to set aside so we might gain a moment that shall never be remembered in heaven.

We worry over many things, and indeed, we must use reason as we consider the priorities of our time. If we understand the greatest of commandments, (cf Matthew 22:36-40) perhaps we will comprehend the priorities of the Lord. Perhaps certain things of accomplishment or notoriety will be remembered in this world for a time, but if we are to accomplish that which shall be remembered forever in heaven, then, we must learn the priorities of the Lord.

Let us, then, study His Word. Let us then, listen in prayer. Let us, then, look for the opportunities He presents us. Let us, then, share the blessings and bounties of the Lord, for as we share with one another the blessings of our day, we build up within our hearts a treasure greater than no other; the blessings of love.

Questions for further reflection:

To what do we put the priorities of our day?

In what ways do we waste the time which is allowed for us to learn the ways of the Lord?

In what ways do we endeavor to gather in, but fail to share the priorities of heaven?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier