Photo by Victor Rodríguez Iglesias on Unsplash
The baker arrives before dawn, kneading dough in the quiet stillness of the morning. Each loaf requires patience, precision, and care. She isn’t just making bread; she’s preparing nourishment for families, students, and workers who will gather around tables. Her work, though routine, carries unseen significance. Like a gardener planting seeds, her labor blesses others. When we see our work through the lens of contribution rather than obligation, our daily tasks take on new meaning—they become an offering that shapes and sustains the world around us.
Scripture reminds us that work isn’t just about personal gain but about generosity. “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need” (Ephesians 4:28 ESV). When we shift our perspective from getting to giving, work becomes a way to serve others. “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered” (Proverbs 11:25 ESV). Like the baker shaping dough or the gardener sowing seeds, our contributions—whether small or grand—can nourish, uplift, and bless.
Every job, chore, or responsibility carries the potential to impact others. Spiritual Move: Contribution—Consider how your work, however routine, can be an act of giving. Let it remind you that your efforts serve a greater purpose. Try this Move: Be intentional about blessing someone through your work today. Offer encouragement, go the extra mile, or simply work with gratitude. Journal Prompt: In what way does your work contribute to those around you? How can you shift your mindset to see your labor as a blessing?