Several years ago, I received some great news. One of our projects at work was eligible to be nominated for an award! We had to fill out a form to show how our project was saving money for the company. When we filled out the form, we confirmed that the project had saved the company over 5 million dollars! Our team won the award, and we all received recognition and a bonus. I still have the award hanging in my office at home.

Before we won the award, though, I received a call from my boss. He asked me to be careful about discussing the specifics of the award with team members. Why? Because some of the team members had founded the project or had been on it for several years. I had been on the project for only a year and was the newest team member – yet we were all receiving the same recognition and bonus.

It was a good reminder for me that I did not have ownership in our project. In fact, I was the person least entitled to be recognized.

Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 2:21-23: When there is a person whose work was done with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and he must give his portion to a person who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great wrong. For what does a person get with all his work and all his efforts that he labors at under the sun? For all his days are filled with grief, and his occupation is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-21: Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

What is your goal with your work? Are you wanting to build your own creation and store up accomplishments and awards. OR is it your goal to build and mentor a team that glorifies God and together builds something new for His kingdom and His creation?

By Jason Grace

Jason is a software engineering manager. He and his wife, Karen, have two children and have been active members at Immanuel for over 23 years. His service includes roles in the deacon ministry, children's ministry, technical team, financial coaching, and leading Bible studies. He loves traveling with his wife and family throughout the US.