Do you love your job.....

I don’t think Matthew liked his. Not deep down in his heart.

Matthew (formally called Levi) was a Jew that worked for the Romans, the enemy. He was a customs officer in Capernaum that collected tax money from his own people. This was a job that no Jew should desire. But, this job promised much wealth.

“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.”  Ecclesiastes 5:10

There is danger when we only work "to pay the bills". We may feel we HAVE to work to pay the debts of the house, car, boat, etc. Or maybe we work because we need insurance for our families. Or maybe we work because we enjoy the security it makes us feel. Beware these lies....

“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10

Matthew, a smart man, desired wealth so he chose a job that would get him that. For one to be a tax collector, you needed to have a good education and great record-keeping skills. Matthew had both of these. He was also probably bilingual, knowing Aramaic as well as Greek. 

He had great potential…...yet, he chose a career that not only “paid the bills” but allowed him to “take quite a bit off the top for himself” if he so desired. Oh, the temptation to be dishonest and let greed fill his heart and mind. 

King David understood the power that money can have and asked God to help him love the right thing…..“Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!”  Psalm 119:36

This is SO HARD while living in this materialistic world....("we are living in a material world"....okay Madonna fans....I know your singing with me.....)

Anyway, I was a software engineer for 10 years. I know the sweet temptation of money and the comfort/security it brings. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss it sometimes.....

But I wonder if Matthew knew when he took the job how much his own people would despise him?

For in those days, a tax collector was barred from the synagogue, from worship. They were an outcast from their people and their religion. He had lost all his friends and his family but he was “rich”. 

Perhaps deep down in his heart though, he was disappointed and lonely until the day when he hears that Jesus of Nazareth was in town. The great teacher that had everyone talking. He had healed the sick, feed thousands of hungry people and this Jesus spoke of a love and acceptance that Matthew longing for.

Imagine the surprise and quiet excitement in Matthew's eyes as he sees Jesus walking up to his tax booth that morning!  

“He is here?!! Really here…” 

Jesus stopped and looked deeply into Matthew's eyes….

....into the brokenness of his heart...

...and says...“Follow Me”......

.....Two simple words that would require a total career change..... 

Matthew would have to leave all the money behind and follow this new teacher.

His response to those two words changed His life....

So I ask again….do you love your job?

Does it fit the talents and gifts God gave you? 

Are you able to share God’s love to the people you work with and shine His light there? Or you are just working “to pay the bills?”  

This life was not meant for us to eat, sleep, work and finally retire so we can do the things we dream of doing. 

Jesus came so you can live life abundantly….RIGHT NOW!!!!

Take a few minutes to think about your job….if Jesus came up to you today, what would he see in your eyes and in your heart? 

Someone satisfied and happy? Someone lonely? Someone working to pay the bills? 

What would you do if Jesus said….”Follow Me”......