Nothing Wasted…

We recently looked at this verse as it relates to doing everything for the Lord, instead of for appreciation and thankfulness.

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, 

because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.  I Cor 15:58b NIV

I’d like to propose another application for this verse…

·      Ever feel like your prayers are not making it past the ceiling? 

·      Ever feel like your time reading the Bible isn’t fruitful?

·      Ever feel like sharing your faith has not been ‘successful’?

If so, please let this verse remind you that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.  It is not wasted.  It is not without purpose.  Everything you do for the Lord, everything you are doing for the Lord is meaningful.

Your labor for the Lord in prayer is not in vain…

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will,  

he hears us." 1 John 5:14

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16b

Your labor for the Lord in reading the Bible is not in vain…

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed

is he who trusts in the Lord. Prov 16:20 ESV

I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:104-105

Your labor for the Lord is planting seeds with others is not in vain…

The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be

rewarded according to their own labor.  For we are co-workers in God’s service; 

you are God’s field, God’s building. I Cor 3:8-9

Planting seeds of faith is not in vain.  I’ve seen research that indicates that when asked, people who accepted Christ as their Savior as an adult report an average of 6 people talked to them about their faith prior to their own decision to trust Christ.

Everything you do in the Name of the Lord has purpose and meaning so give yourself fully to His work.

Let’s close with The Message version of 1 Cor 15:58b…

…don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort. I Cor 15:58b The Message