I learned this wisdom from God the hard way. Those of us in ministry feel like we spend most of our time working for the Lord. Our work is service, or so we think. The words of this proverb speak sobering truth when we read carefully.

God doesn’t bless our work because it is about God. God blesses our work when it is of God and done in submission to him as our King. If you are like me, the subject of slavery is uncomfortable to think about. We like to serve God like we serve our jobs. We go to work expecting payment in return. 

Christianity isn’t about the democratic rule of God in our lives. We don’t have a vote, only a choice. We serve God as King, or we aren’t really serving him correctly. In ancient days, a king owned the land and issued commands, not suggestions. People obeyed the king as the ruler if they wanted to live peacefully in the land.

God blesses our work when we honor him as our King. His position is sovereign, not a name on a ballot. His holy word is law, not open for debate. His direction is our only choice, not a possible option. It is difficult for citizens of a democracy to yield our freedoms to our King. 

The rest of the proverb is our eternal motivation. Our King is perfect, holy, and loves us as a Father loves his child. When we commit our work—all that we do—to his perfect guidance, the plans God can bless will be established. God designs and directs our lives along a path he will be able to bless.

Living with wisdom is a path to God’s blessings. Wisdom submits to God as King of our lives, and we are his servants, quite literally his slaves. Wisdom reminds us that we want God’s plans, direction, and blessings. That is our best life now and our great reward eternally. Working as a slave on the King’s path of blessing is good.