為有工作而感恩
By: Robert J. Tamasy
本週全世界將有幾百萬男女老少以某種方式慶祝一年一度的感恩節。在美國這是一個正式的國定假日，但無論一個人在哪個國家或文化裡，表達感恩總是合適的。
大部份每週讀「週一嗎哪」的人都在職場上承擔責任，所以很適合在工作中有感謝的行動。工作常常被認為是「必要之惡」，但實際上，工作絕非必要之惡。請思想工作的一些正向層面：
工作是表達並運用我們技能、專業和天份的方法。 工作可以提供我們生命的目的和意義。 工作提供我們機會去追求我們熱切想做的事－－就是我們非常感興趣的事，讓我們有熱忱去期待新的一天的開始。 工作讓我們在以各種方式服事別人時有收入。 工作讓我們能夠實現部份我們受造的呼召。在聖經的頭一章，我們讀到上帝指定了一個工作給人類：「神就賜福給他們，又對他們說：要生養眾多，遍滿地面，治理這地，也要管理海裡的魚、空中的鳥，和地上各樣行動的活物」（創世記1章28節）。神學家把這稱為「文化的託管」。在這命令中，上帝把管理地球的工作指派給人類。
當世界上許多人都還在全球經濟不景氣中掙扎時，對沒有工作或必須做一個遠低於自己能力之工作的人而言，要對工作感恩可能是一項挑戰。但我們大多數有工作的人就有許多理由感覺並說出對工作的感恩。
當然，每種職業都有人們不喜歡的層面。對有些人而言，參加會議使他們離開他們所享受的工作。但有些人卻覺得會議是他們工作中最有意義的部份。對有些人而言（就像我），寫作是有趣的工作；有些人卻寧願做任何事也不要寫作。但這就是工作吸引人之處：我們沒有一人對每件事都擅長或感興趣。我們需要別人的才幹與經驗，這樣才能獲得屬於一個大團隊的滿足感。
所以在本週當你思考如何及為何對你的工作感恩時，可以思想以下聖經所說的話：
工作能滿足我們生活的需要。無可否認，透過工作我們賺取資源以獲得食物、衣服、房屋和其他的生活必需品。工作也給我們尊嚴和成就感。「勞力人的胃口使他勞力，因為他的口腹催逼他」（箴言16章26節）。
工作可以是喜樂的來源。有人說，若你享受你做的事，在你的生命中一天都不需「工作」。若你的工作適合你的興趣和技能，你就是特別有福的人。「故此，我見人莫強如在他經營的事上喜樂，因為這是他的分」（傳道書3章22節）。
工作是服事上帝的一個機會。雖然我們可能花許多年使我們天生的才幹和能力更精湛，但溯自源頭，那些還是來自上帝的恩賜。「無論作什麼，或說話或行事，都要奉主耶穌的名，藉著他感謝父神…無論作什麼，都要從心裡作，像是給主作的，不是給人作的」（歌羅西書3章17、23節）。
勞勃．泰默西是領袖資產協會的交通部副部長，這是一個總部在美國喬治亞州亞特蘭大的非營利組織。他也是一個有38年經驗的退休新聞工作者。他寫過一本書「最佳狀態的商業：箴言給今日職場的歷久彌新智慧」（Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace）。他也與David A. Stoddard合著一本書「導師之心：啟發人們將其潛能發揮到極至的10個原則」（The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential）。要了解更多資訊, 可上網www.leaderslegacy.com 或上他的部落格www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com。
思想 / 討論題目
你是否對你目前的工作感恩？為什麼？ 不論你是否參加一個正式的紀念感恩節活動，在你生命中還有哪些其他的事是你要感恩的？ 我們都會對生活中許多層面感恩，但並非每個人是向上帝感恩。對於他們遇到的好事，他們可能歸之於運氣、環境或甚至他們自己的努力。今天你對什麼人，或什麼事感恩？ 若你的工作真的是「必要之惡」，在未來的日子你可以做什麼改變？你認為需要的是改變態度或改變地點？請解釋。註：若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言12章11節，12章24節，14章23節，21章5節，22章29節，27章18節；哥林多前書3章10-15節；提摩太後書2章20-21節
BEING THANKFUL FOR THE BLESSINGS OF WORK
By: Robert J. Tamasy
This week millions of men, women and children around the world will participate – one way or another – in an annual observance of Thanksgiving Day. In the United States this is an official, national holiday, but regardless of one”s country or culture, an intentional expression of thanksgiving is always appropriate.
Most of the people that read “Monday Manna” every week are actively engaged in workplace responsibilities, so it is fitting to consider the act of thankfulness in terms of our vocations and careers. Work has often been referred to as “a necessary evil,” but in reality it is anything but that. Consider just some of the positive aspects of work:
Work is a means for expressing and utilizing our skills, expertise, and talents. Work can help to provide purpose and meaning for our lives. Work offers opportunities to pursue our passions – those compelling interests and causes that make us anticipate the start of a new day with enthusiasm. Work gives us avenues for serving others in numerous ways. Work enables us to fulfill part of our calling as members of God”s creation.In the opening chapter of the Bible, we read that God gave humankind an assignment: “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every living creature that moves on the ground“” (Genesis 1:28). Theologians refer to this as the “cultural mandate,” in which God assigned stewardship of the Earth to human beings.
In a time when many people around the world are still reeling with the effects of a troubled global economy, not having jobs or finding it necessary to engage in jobs far below their capabilities, being thankful for work might be a challenge. But most of us are employed and have many reasons for feeling and voicing thanksgiving for work.
Granted, every job has elements that are less than desirable. For some people, attending meetings amounts to a distraction from the work they enjoy; for others, meetings comprise the most meaningful part of their work. For some people (like me), writing is a pleasurable aspect of work; others would rather do anything but have to write. But that is what makes work so intriguing: None of us is skilled or interested in doing everything. We need one another”s abilities and experience, and can gain the satisfaction of being part of something bigger than ourselves.
So this week, as you ponder how and why to be thankful for your work, consider what the Bible says:
Work provides a means for meeting our needs. There is no denying that through work we can earn the resources for obtaining food, clothing, shelter and other necessities of life. Work also provides us with dignity and a sense of accomplishment. “The laborer”s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on” (Proverbs 16:26).
Work can be a source of enjoyment. If you enjoy what you do, someone has said, you will never “work” another day in your life. If you have a job that fits your interests and skills, you are especially blessed. “So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot” (Ecclesiastes 3:22).
Work is an opportunity to serve God. Our inherent talents and abilities, even though we may have spent years to refine them, ultimately came to us as a gift from God. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him…. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:17, 23).
Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. A veteran of more than 38 years in professional journalism, he is the author of Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace (River City Press) and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential (NavPress). For more information, see www.leaderslegacy.com or his blog, www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Are you thankful for your work today? Why or why not? Whether you are participating in a formal observance of Thanksgiving Day or not, what are other things in your life for which you feel thankful or grateful? We all have times when we feel thankful for aspects of life in a general sense, but not everyone directs their gratitude toward God. They are more likely to credit luck, circumstances, or even their own efforts for good things that come their way. To whom – or what – do you feel thankful today? If your work is truly “a necessary evil” and nothing more, what possible changes could you make in the coming days to change that? Do you think what is required is a change of attitude, or perhaps a change of location? Explain your answer.NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to review additional passages that relate to this topic, consider the following verses:Proverbs 12:11, 12:24, 14:23, 21:5, 22:29, 27:18; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Timothy 2:20-21
