file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread/db940725.txt
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OUR DAILY BREAD                     Monday, July 25, 1994
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Read:  Matthew 6:25-34

                     "OUR JOB DESCRIPTION"

            Seek first the kingdom of God and His
             righteousness, and all these things
                    shall be added to you.

                       - Matthew 6:23

In a letter to me, "Mike" revealed that he had been disabled
from  a  drug overdose, had served a 2-year sentence for co-
caine possession, and had been in institutions for 13 years.
He also wrote of being wonderfully delivered by the Lord.

What especially intrigued me, however, were the  six  yellow
pages from a phone book Mike sent with his letter.  Four in-
cluded notices for free drug and alcohol counseling, and two
advertised his commercial cleaning service.  Over one he had
penned, "This is the way we will be self-supporting."   Mike
saw  his  cleaning job as simply a means of paying his bills
so he could do his  number  one  job  -  helping  others  in
Christ's name.

Whether we are self-employed or work for another,  our  pri-
mary  job  description  is  to live as a child of God in the
marketplace - seeking first His kingdom.   The  income  from
what  we  do  is merely God's way of providing the money for
"all these things" that we need (Matt.  6:33).   Paul  often
engaged  in  tentmaking (Acts 18:3).  That occupation, along
with gifts, provided money for his  personal  needs  (20:34,
Phil.  4:15-18).  But his number one job was serving Chist.

Whatever we do for a living, let's remember our primary  job
description.

Author:  Dennis J. De Haan

        No matter what my daily chores might  be
        To earn  my livlihood, still may I see
        My job, the real position that I hold,
        Is bringing others to the Master's fold.

                                     - Stalter

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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A job will earn your livelihood,
   but living for Christ is the highest good.

The Bible in One Year:  Isaiah 55-57

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