Three thoughts came to mind from reading Jeremiah 17:10 – I the Lord search the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

First, God searches our heart – It’s our heart that determines the way we work and give; whether grudgingly or with a cheerful heart; whether sparingly or bountifully. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

Secondly, He gives according to our ways – meaning the way we do things – either with excellence or just barely enough to get by.

Thirdly, according to the fruit of what we do – what kind of results are we reaping from what we do; are we producing eternal blessings or just earthly riches.

All three work closely together because the integrity of our heart determines the integrity of our work, and the integrity of our work determines the kind and quality of fruit (results) that is produced.

What we do and how we do it always determines our rewards; either maximizing or minimizing the quality of our work and therefore the kind fruit that comes from our work. The condition of our heart always determines our motivation, thinking, and attitude toward our work.  Proverbs 23:7 states, for as he (a person) thinks in his heart, so is he.  As we see, the condition of our heart is the center of how we do anything. If we are slothful in how we do things there will not be much good evidence or good results (fruit) from our work.  This is not rocket science people, your quality of work tells a lot about you.  The Bible says that even a child is known by what he does. (Proverbs 20:11)

Colossians 3:23 instructs us to do whatever we do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.  In other words, doing things to just please men could lead to a temptation to do what is not right.  However, viewing and doing our work unto God, puts excellence in our mind and work. As we can see, this just doesn’t apply to our work in the Kingdom of God, but also in our secular job.

The amount of salary an employer thinks we are worth is not only based on what we can do, but also our attitude and quality of our work. Isaiah 1:19 teaches that if we are willing and obedient, we shall eat the good of the land.  To me, this means that when we are willing to do quality work with a good heart, we are worthy of good pay.

God wants to bless us, and He gives us a key to how to walk in His blessings in Deuteronomy 29:9: keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.  It is again dependent upon our choices.  Choose wisely.