Work: The Payoff Beyond the Paycheck

My son, Salem, and I had been watching a football game together when he abruptly announced, “I
wanna play pro football so I can buy a big house when I grow up!”

Interesting, I mused, that
making a lot of money is why he’d want to play football. Why would that be his primary
motivator?

I noticed we were both sitting among a sea of ads from the Sunday newspaper. The
proverbial lightbulb came on, and I asked myself, Have I inadvertently communicated to my son that
the sole purpose of work is to have money to purchase more things?

We work hard to provide
for our families and to model a strong work ethic. Our kids see our dedication to work in the time
we give to our jobs and in the satisfaction we derive from our efforts. But what our children might
not discern as readily is what we’re working‚ÄÜfor.

We live in a culture that views the
accumulation of money and possessions as the chief goal of work. But as fathers who are purposing to
raise young men and women who follow Jesus, our job is not only to model a strong work ethic but to
teach our children the godly motivation for it, as well.

Here are a few ways to model for
your child that work is about more than the paycheck:

Work to benefit others

Do your children assume that the only “work” you do is at your paying job? Engage them in work that serves
others. You might invite your kids to join you raking a neighbor’s lawn or gathering canned goods
for a food bank.

Work to steward the gifts you’ve been given

Let your children visit your workplace to discover how you’re using your God-given gifts in your employment.

Work to worship God

As you share the ups and downs of your day at the dinner table, remind your children
that you work hard at the parts you enjoy — and those you don’t — to honor God.

Work to bless your family

Teach your children that God is your family’s good provider and that one
of the practical ways God provides is through your work.

Our children are watching. Let’s
make sure they see us working hard for what matters most.