WORK: The ROOT that Build Your LIFE

Devotional with Larry Neville

Key Verse:Genesis 2:15“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”

Welcome to Day 1 of Five Days to Thrive!

This week, we’re focusing on five life roots that help you grow strong and live fully. Today, we begin with the foundational root of Work.

Devotional:

Before there was sin, before marriage, before ministry, there was work. God placed Adam in the garden and told him to work it and keep it.

Work isn’t punishment—it’s purpose. Work is worship.

You might be reading this while heading into work, or maybe you’ve already had a long day. You might be thinking, “How does what I do every day really matter to God?”

Let me encourage you: When you work faithfully, you are in the will of God.

This job may not be your dream or calling, but it can be a stepping stone to something greater.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”

Work is where character is shaped.

Work is where provision begins.

Work is where your faith becomes action.

Whether on a job site, in an office, in ministry, or managing a household, how you work reflects how you grow.

Luke 16:10 – “He who is faithful with little will be given much.”

Faithfulness is the soil where open doors grow. You can’t thrive if you avoid work. You grow when you show up, sweat a little, and finish what you start. Even Jesus worked. For years, He was known simply as “the carpenter.” He honored work, embraced it, and modeled it.

Are you wrestling with the Question: “Is This the Right Work for Me?”

Your current job may not feel like your calling. You might feel overworked, underpaid, or stuck.

But hear this clearly: You do God’s will when you work faithfully.

It’s not always exciting. It’s not always fulfilling. But it’s building something in you and preparing something ahead of you.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”

This job may be exactly what your hands have found to do right now.

So…should you quit and chase what you feel called to do? Maybe not yet.

Reflection

Think about this:

• Are you working to get by, or are you working to build something that matters?

• Do you treat your job as something holy, something God is using to shape you?

• Are you passing on the value of work to your children or those you mentor?

Don’t skip the root of work if you want a thriving life. Start now. Show up. Learn a skill. Do your job with all your might—even if it’s not your dream job. Because work isn’t about what you’re doing—it’s about who you’re becoming.

Jesus worked. For nearly 30 years before beginning His ministry, He was called “the carpenter.” He worked with His hands, earning income and likely helping support His mother. Jesus didn’t avoid work—He embraced it.

So should we.

Here’s a Better Strategy:

• Work faithfully where you are.

• Pray and commit your work life to the Lord.

• Trust that God knows when to open the right door.

Let prayer, faith, and anticipation lead you. And when the opportunity comes, you’ll be ready to step into it. A person who grows deep roots through hard work is someone God can trust with what’s next.

Scripture of the Day:

“He who is faithful with little will be given much.” – Luke 16:10

Whether you’re just starting, trying to change direction, or in a job that feels stuck, decide today to work as unto the Lord. Be faithful now, and trust that God will honor your labor. When you're faithful in little, He can trust you with much.

Don't wait for the "perfect job" or the "right moment." Be excellent where you are. Let the root of work go deep. Because what you build today becomes the fruit you enjoy tomorrow.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the work You’ve given me today. Even when I don’t feel excited about it, help me to be faithful. Strengthen my heart and give me purpose in the small things I trust that as I work with integrity, You’re preparing the next step. Help me thrive where I am and be ready when You open the next door.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Key Points to Think About Today:

• What’s your current attitude toward your work?

• Are you giving your best where you are right now?

• Have you invited God into your work life through prayer?

• Do you believe God can use today’s job to prepare you for tomorrow’s calling?

Practical Applications

✅ Show up – Be consistent and dependable, even when it’s hard.

✅ Do it with all your might – Give your best, even in the small things. ✅ Be teachable – Learn a skill, grow in your field, pursue excellence. ✅ Prepare now – Whether single or married, learn to carry responsibility. ✅ Honor God – Your work is part of your worship.

I would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or a question, and I will get back to you.

God bless, Larry

Watch the 7 minute segment of Larry's Sermon here.