John Stanko | On August 7, 2015

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“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves”

– Psalm 127:2.

The issue of work is different for a believer than for someone who doesn’t know the Lord. For the unbeliever, work is how he or she makes money. For believers, God has promised to provide, so they work to extend God’s kingdom rule on the job. What does that mean? A believer works to witness and reveal to fellow workers, clients and customers God’s love and His righteousness where integrity, honesty, fairness, work ethic and submission are concerned. Where possible, a Kingdom worker also exercises creativity and authority to bring new ideas and order to his or her sphere of work. Is there a difference between your work and the work of those around you who do not know the Lord? Is your attitude gentle and submissive, or strident and competitive? Do you see your work as your source of provision, or do you see God as the source? Do you understand that He is using your job to provide for you but He doesn’t need your job to provide? What difference should all these truths make in your job, attitude and faith expectations?

Today’s reading – Psalms 126-130

John Stanko

John Stanko was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and attended Duquesne University where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics in 1972 and 1974 respectively.

Since then, John has served as an administrator, teacher, consultant, author, and pastor in his professional career. He holds a second master’s degree in pastoral ministries, and earned his Doctor of Ministry from Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh in 2011.

John founded a personal and leadership development company, called PurposeQuest, in 2001 and today travels the world to speak, consult and inspire leaders and people everywhere. From 2001-2008, he spent six months a year in Africa and still enjoys visiting and working on that continent, while teaching for Geneva College’s Masters of Organizational Leadership and the Center for Urban Biblical Ministry in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most recently, John founded Urban Press, a publishing service designed to tell stories of the city, from the city and to the city.