Stuck in a Crummy Job? Part 1

Nov. 7

Read Genesis 31

Stuck in a Crummy Job? Part 1

Why do we hang around at crummy jobs for so long? What is it that keeps a person “stuck”? Is it fear? Is it laziness? Have we been taught that it is somehow more “Christian” or noble just to hang around?

God will not leave his people “stuck” in crummy jobs forever. He is working to make a way forward for his children. All of us will have seasons where God calls us to endure… to persevere… to suffer and bare weight… but he does not leave us stranded there. Jacob is a prime example. For 20 years Jacob labored for Laban. For 20 years Laban took advantage of Jacob in one way or another. Jacob remained there until the Lord told him to go! Jacob’s years with Laban can teach us a lot. We are going to look at 5 lessons from this passage over the next 5 days:

Lesson 1: God never rewards jealousy or dishonesty-

Laban had manipulated Jacob from the get go. This unfortunately is not uncommon - that family members would abuse or take advantage of other family members. Those of you who work with family probably know this all too well! Whether it was the “bride swap” between Leah and Rachel, the culling of animals in an effort to withhold wages, or the “10 times” of changing terms on Jacob… Laban was clearly out for himself. (Gen. 29:21-20, 30:35,36, 31:7) This greed cost Laban relationship with his daughters and extended family. Laban was never REALLY committed to his daughters or grandchildren to begin with. He did not see the prosperity of his son in-law as a blessing for his girls… Laban chose to see it through the lens of greed, jealousy, and envy.

Jacob lost all favor with Laban when Laban was not prospering the way that he had prior. As soon as others were being blessed it became a problem for Laban and his sons. Laban’s boys displayed the same character as him; the complain “Jacob has taken all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has gained all this wealth.” ( Gen. 31:1) They couldn’t handle their sisters, niece, nephews, and brother in-law prospering. They did not have eyes to see Jacob’s hard work nor the fact that it was actually God who was on Jacob’s side throughout it all. Don’t expect the greedy people of the world to recognize your hard work or the Lord’s favor! In the end Jacob declares, “…the God of my father has been with me…your father has cheated me…But God did not permit him to harm me….God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.” (v. 4-9) God does not reward Laban’s deception!

As the people of God, we must be prepared to have our hard work overlooked by the people of this world. Jesus stresses in his teaching on the mount that, “our Heavenly Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you”. (cf. Matt. 6) God recognizes your hard work, and we do everything that we do for his glory anyways! “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31) You will be sorely disappointed if you go throughout life worshipping the approval of others. We must learn to work as unto the Lord.

Likewise, we must avoid the temptation to begin to manipulate the situation in an effort to gain advantage for ourselves. God does not reward deception or “foot-dragging” in our work. In the end, God has our back! We need only to honor him and do what he tells us to do. (This may be one of the few things that Jacob was good at.) Jacob endured his work situation for the sake of his love for his wife (wives) and trusting that God was with him. He had eyes looking out for what GOD was doing - and was not shaken by a “crummy boss” / Father in-law.

Ask the Lord to open your eyes to how he is working today… even in the parts of your work that are frustrating. If you feel “under appreciated” - share that with the Lord. It is ok. He will listen. Ask him to give you the strength to press on. He has not forgotten you… I promise. DO NOT fall into the temptation to deceive, lie, or manipulate - God will NOT bless this. Remember, it is GOD HIMSELF who was working to take from Laban as well as give to Jacob. The Lord is actually behind it all. More lessons to come later this week. Love you guys. - JDP