I've been reading through Genesis alongside Matthew (I've heard some people describe Matthew as the "New Genesis", part of the reason for its placement at the front of the New Testament), and today I was struck by God's covenant to Noah.* 

In particular, I was struck by what God says to Noah after his family finally reaches dry ground. He says to them, "And you, be fruitful and multiply, teem on the earth and multiply in it." (9:7) Now there are many ways to read that verse, but let me leave those alone for a minute and just give you what really resonated with me this morning as I read it: be fruitful. 

Okay, so there's being fruitful in the sense of having lots of kids. But there's also fruitful in the sense of producing good things, fruits, not necessarily just children. And that is what we do, hopefully, when we work. 

What is work? Some of us produce physical things, others of us produce intellectual property, and many more of us work in the service industry. But when you boil it all down, we all produce fruit (even those in the service industry! Their fruit is a satisfied customer). 

So when we do our jobs well, we are being fruitful. This is one form of obedience to God. You can even go as far as to say that a job well done is an act of worship. 

Of course there is a limit to this. There are certain jobs that don't produce fruit, but actually destroy fruit. And just producing fruit by itself isn't worship unless it is done as an act of obedience to God. Finally, I think above the commandment to be fruitful are far away the greatest commandments: "Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength" and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-40). But, with all that said, it is important to realize this: a job well done is still a calling from God. 

So whatever you're doing, whatever industry you're in or training to be in, know that there is a point to what you are doing. Go, be fruitful, and worship God. 

*Side note: I saw an article a few weeks ago about a politician arguing that we don't have to worry about global warming because God promises Noah as part of his covenant with him in Genesis 9 that "And the water shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh." (9:15) This is a questionable application of this verse, and shows why we need theological education and training. Although the Spirit definitely is the most important part in being able to understand what God is saying to us through His Word, God didn't give us the ability to think as well as the ability to improve that ability without reason. Rep. Shimkus should be hearing from leaders in his own denomination about why this verse is not an invitation for Christians to neglect stewardship of the environment.