“In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys.”     Genesis 30:43 (NIV)

     Once Laban and Jacob settled on Jacob’s payment, Laban separated their flocks by a three days’ journey.  The speckled, spotted, and dark-colored animals were Jacob’s payment.  They were sent off with Laban’s sons.  Jacob continued to tend to Laban’s flock, which was all of the white-colored animals.

     The animals’ coloring made it easy to determine whose animals were whose.  Laban was probably really pleased with himself for getting Jacob to agree to such a deal.  Since Jacob was still tending his flock, what were the chances of him having to pay Jacob anything else?

     If Jacob’s payment would only come in the form of speckled, spotted, and dark-colored offspring, how likely would it be that Laban’s white-colored animals would produce such offspring?

     As we can see in Genesis 30:37-42, Laban’s flock produced quite a few speckled, spotted, and dark-colored offspring.  Verse 43 confirms that even under seemingly impossible circumstances, Jacob was able to prosper in a big way.  How did this happen?  Let’s look at three key factors that impacted Jacob’s prosperity.

Jacob was a diligent, hard worker

     Jacob originally came to Laban to work in exchange for Rachel’s hand in marriage.  He agreed to work for seven years.  But Laban deceived him.  He ended up marrying Leah, and had to work an additional seven years for Rachel.

     Over the course of those 14 years, we can see how well Laban fared with Jacob working for him.  Laban recognized it in Genesis 30:27.  Jacob mentioned it in Genesis 30:30.  It wasn’t until the end of those 14 years that there was even a discussion about payment for services rendered.

     How often do we get upset when our bosses don’t immediately recognize our efforts for the company by giving us raises and bonuses?  Are we quick to want to stop working, or to not work as hard, because we don’t feel appreciated?

     Despite the lack of payment or acknowledgement, Jacob pressed on and gave Laban his best work.  Colossians 3:23 is an often-quoted Scripture, so consider King Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” (NIV)

Jacob listened to God

     Jacob’s success also came through his obedience.  He was attentive to God’s voice and direction in dealing with his challenges with Laban.

     We find out later in Genesis 31:10-13 that God spoke to Jacob in a dream.  God assured Jacob that He was aware of Laban’s misdeeds and gave him the strategy that led to his prosperity.

     While Laban may have felt that he was winning, it was only for a season.  As Solomon also shared in Ecclesiastes 12:14, “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (NIV)

     Have we quieted our bitter minds long enough to listen for direction from God?  He may be ready to bring us out of our situation, if we only take the time to hear Him.

Jacob was patient

     Patience is important enough to reiterate.  We already saw that Jacob spent 14 years with Laban.  After that, he worked for Laban for an additional six years.  So, Jacob’s struggle at work lasted 20 long, long years.  How many of us could have made it that long?

     As with anything, we have to remember that results are not always in our time, but in God’s time.  Our attempts to rush things may backfire and slow things down.  In fact, it may set us back farther than where we originally started.  Why take that chance?

     Let’s pray for the strength to endure our struggles for as long as God needs us to hold on.  Pray that we remain diligent, even when we feel weak.  Lastly, pray for that inner peace and quiet that will allow us to hear God’s voice so that we can move in the direction He leads us to go.  Galatians 6:9 is an excellent summary.  “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (NIV)

“Jacob said to him, ‘You know how your livestock fared under my care.  The little you had before I came has increased greatly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I have been.  But now, when may I do something for my own household?’”     Genesis 30:29-30 (NIV)

     Jacob spent years working for Laban, and he was ready to move on.  But he didn’t want to leave on bad terms, so he approached Laban to discuss the transition.

     In that discussion, Jacob pointed out the impact his work had on Laban.  His time of employment was extremely productive, and Laban benefited from it.

     This can lead us to consider whether we are having a similar impact on our own bosses.  Let’s ask ourselves three questions.

Are we being good stewards?

     Laban’s livestock fared well under Jacob’s care.  Even though they didn’t belong to him, Jacob was a good steward over the livestock to which he was entrusted.  A steward is someone who manages the property of another person.

     When Laban left Jacob in charge of the livestock, he knew that he had nothing to worry about.  He knew that Jacob would care for them as if they were his own.

     Can our bosses say the same thing about us?  When we are left alone to work with a client or customer, do we give them the same respect that they would receive if they were working directly with the boss?

Are we being productive?

     Productivity goes right along with stewardship.  Stewards are also good managers of their time.  When we are given assignments or tasks, do we complete them in a timely fashion?

    Are we being efficient when we are on the company clock so that we can make the most of our time at work?  Procrastination takes away from the company’s potential earnings, and that is not good stewardship.

     The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 illustrated the concept of productivity well.  To summarize, a man was leaving town and entrusted his property to three of his servants.  They each were given different amounts, according to their abilities.  Two of the servants went to work and increased what they were given.  The third servant hid his talent until his master returned.

     The first two servants were commended and rewarded for their efforts.  The last servant was called wicked, lazy, and worthless.  His talent was taken from him, and he was thrown out.

     It is important to recognize in the parable that each servant was given according to their abilities.  Our bosses have a pretty good idea about what we are capable of.  That’s why we were hired in the first place.

     When we do what we’ve been hired to do, the company will benefit.  Then, we, in turn, are rewarded for our efforts.  If we are not productive, we are just as bad as the third servant in the parable – wicked, lazy, and worthless.  He was thrown out, and we may also be fired for our own lack of productivity.

Are we representing God well?

     Jacob commented to Laban that the Lord had blessed Laban wherever Jacob had been.  Jacob didn’t take the credit for his work.  He gave the glory to God and reminded Laban to do that as well.  Laban acknowledged the Lord in Genesis 30:27.  “But Laban said to him, ‘… I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you.’” (NIV)

     Do we get disappointed when our bosses don’t acknowledge our efforts?  Are we upset when we don’t get the glory?  The glory is not ours to receive.  We should be representing God in all that we do.

     We should aim to seek the limelight less and to put God in the spotlight more.  Not only will it help us take the focus off of ourselves, but it may also help someone at work develop or renew their own relationship with God.

“He added, ‘Name your wages, and I will pay them.’”     Genesis 30:28 (NIV)

     Now who would not want to hear these words come out of the mouth of an employer?  These words are very rare, indeed.  But hearing words like these can only mean that the employee’s true value has been identified and recognized.

     Many of us may not feel that we are valued and respected for what we do at work.  However, the question that can be bounced back is, Have you given them a reason to value and respect you?  Let’s look at five key qualities that will change any boss’ outlook on an employee’s true value.

Equitable

     Employers seek individuals who are honest.  They want employees who are honest with how they spend their time when they are “on the clock.”  They are honest with how they use the company’s resources.

     Equitable employees should also be fair and unbiased.  They are observant of how they treat their clients, customers, fellow employees.  They willingly treat everyone the same, rather than playing favorites toward some of the people with whom they come in contact.

Efficient

     Employers also want employees who are ready to go when they come in to work.  Efficient employees maximize the use of their time in handling the tasks at hand.

     These employees are also competent.  They are capable and can be trusted to take care of their responsibilities without needing a supervisor to baby sit them throughout the day.

Enterprising

     Employers may have lots of their own ideas about how to operate the company, but they also want enterprising employees.  Employees should be daring at times, able to think outside of the box.  They should come up with new ideas that may help the company become better at what it does.

     Employees should also be resourceful.  They are able to maximize the use of the resources that they have.  They are not wasteful with supplies.  They creatively find new and different ways to do things within the company.

     Employees should be energetic and spirited.  Rather than becoming robotic toward the assigned responsibilities, employees should find ways to keep the job and workplace fun and lively.

Enthusiastic

     Employers want enthusiastic employees.  They are devoted to their jobs.  They are passionate about what they do, and really want to make a difference.

     They are eager to come to work.  (Granted, it is not always easy to be excited at work, but praise God that you have a job to go to!)  That excitement may rub off on others and make the entire workplace more pleasant.

Essential

     Lastly, employers seek individuals who are essential to the company.  These employees are necessary to the company’s operation.  They are vital to the livelihood and the continued growth and development of the company.

     The company truly cannot function at its best without the essential employees.  Most companies, whether large or small, need many employees to operate.  But, just like a body, each part is absolutely essential to the entire body.

     Paul explains this concept in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26.  Even in a company with hundreds or thousands of employees, when an essential employee is missing, it is felt by everyone.  Have we showed our employers that we are indispensable?

     If we want to feel valued and respected at work, we have to make sure that we have given our employers a valid reason.  Applying these five characteristics will not only change our bosses’ outlooks on us, but it will also give us a renewed sense of purpose within our workplace.

“Then Leah said, ‘God has presented me with a precious gift.  This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons.’  So she named him Zebulun.”     Genesis 30:20 (NIV)

     Leah’s life had some challenges.  Although she was married, she did not win her husband’s heart.  He was in love with her younger sister, Rachel.  Their father would not give Jacob Rachel’s hand in marriage until Leah was married.  So, Jacob married Leah first, then married Rachel.

It’s not a competition

     It appears that Leah always felt a sense of competition between herself and Rachel for Jacob’s heart.  But her efforts failed every time.  We, too, must be careful about the levels to which we take our competitive natures.

     Working hard and seeking an accomplished life is not wrong in itself.  But when we take it to unhealthy levels, it can become damaging.  Here are a few examples.

1) Work becomes more important than our relationship with God.
2) Work consumes us and deprives our family of the time that they need with us.
3) Our work has worn us down physically.
4) We work hard in an effort to keep up with those around us.
5) Our drive for success and accomplishment leads us to act unethically.

But “this time” will be different…

     Leah was hoping that “this time” her husband would treat her differently.  She had already borne five sons for Jacob.  If things hadn’t changed after the first five sons, what was going to make son #6 any different?

     Often times, we operate under the same notions.  We think that if we just close one more deal, then we will get the raise or bonus that we had hoped for.  If we work just one more hour, then we will get a big jump on the week’s workload.  The list is neverending.

     Then, when we do get to that next point, we find the accomplishment less than satisfying, and we are looking ahead to the next milestone.

     The money is never enough.  The goals and successes we reach are never sufficient.  We will always, in our natural minds, want more.  We will always yearn for bigger and better.

     Our drive can turn into an unhealthy greed.  Jesus warns us in Luke 12:15, “Watch out!  Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (NIV)

Whose approval are you seeking?

     In our efforts to strive toward various types of successes in life, we should be careful of another motive – seeking the approval of others.

     This motive is not always immediately obvious to us, but it can lead to trouble.  Paul warns us in Galatians 1:10, “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?  Or am I trying to please men?  If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (NIV)

     While God has no problem with us being happy and enjoying our lives here on earth, we must be careful about doing things simply to win the approval of others.  The only opinion that matters is God’s opinion.  If God approves, then everything else should fall into place.

“Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, ‘I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.’”     Genesis 29:18 (NIV)

     When I first read this verse, I was impressed with Jacob’s dedication to Rachel.  Those are the words of a man in love.

     Jacob’s statement led me to think about the reasons we choose to work.  For each of us, the answer may be different.  Let’s explore some of the most common motivations to work.

Provision

     “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”  1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV)

     For the great majority of the workforce, work provides the financial resources necessary to provide for ourselves and our families.  This includes the basic standards of care, such as housing, clothing, and food.  It may provide for a means of transportation.

     If the income stretches far enough, we may also be able to provide for some of the family’s wants and desires, such as extracurricular activities, the latest electronic gadgets, or trips and vacations.

Love

     Work is also a way to show others love.  As discussed previously, we can demonstrate our love for our family by working to provide for them.

     We can also show love for others by working in or with companies and organizations that help others.  Many companies provide products and services that help better people’s lives.  Non-profit organizations support many different causes that are prevalent in our communities.

     Whether we work as an employee or a volunteer, our assistance is evidence of our commitment to the people or principles supported by these groups.

Goals

     We all have a purpose in life.  Some of us know what that purpose is.  Others are still searching for it.  Nevertheless, when we can incorporate that purpose, or our goals, into our worklife, it can be all the more enjoyable.

     God wants us to enjoy our work.  Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.  This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?” (NIV)

Money

     While money is a common motivation to work, this is a motivation that needs caution.  We need to be careful with how we think about money.  While money serves a function in our lives, we cannot let it control us.  God knew before we were born the kind of hold that money can put on us.  He provides us with guidance in His Word.

     In Luke 16:13, Jesus tells us, “No servant can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and Money.” (NIV)

     As we consider our own work, as well as the people and the principles that are most important to us, let’s evaluate our own level of dedication.  Do we display the same passion and enthusiasm for work that Jacob expressed in his quest for Rachel?  Can we do more?