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This week has been super busy. I have soft launched a new business this month. Because it requires people to see my work; I have to build a portfolio.

My mother was an artist and I have always had a paint brush in my hand since an early age — what Mom did, I did. I have experience and love for design, color and style, no paint brushes involved, but this business is creative and takes work ethic. 

Genesis starts with the theme, “God created.”  He was very meticulous and detailed, when he was creating all things. God has a great work ethic. I think you have heard the expression, If you are not willing to work, then you should not eat. God said in 1 Timothy 5:8, “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Ephesians tells us, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” 2 Thessalonians instructs, “For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.”

That is pretty potent, but as a Christ follower, we have to remember that God expects quality from us. He set the standard. I understand we are not God, but we are to strive to be imitators of Christ. He gave all He had to give – His life.

There is a story that I love to share with people. A famous Renaissance artist named Michelangelo was commissioned to work in the Sistine Chapel. He painted the chapel from 1508 to 1512. He was working on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The lighting in one area was darker than the others. He was meticulously painting the dark area. He was spending much time making sure it was painted to perfection. A man walked over and asked him why he was spending so much time in that area, when it was not going to be viewed often. His reply was priceless, “But God will see it.”

As Christ followers we should take hold to that attitude. When we do something we should do it to the glorify God, even if no other person gets benefit from it. When God has gifted you with talent or opened doors for you to have a great job, Christ followers should value the opportunity enough to have Michelangelo’s approach. “But God will see it.”

This week let us ask God to evaluate our work ethic. Is it centered on Christ?

Yvette Perrin is a columnist for The Charlotte Gazette. She can be reached at theword2yvette@gmail.com.