Genesis 30:28-30 records the conversation that transpired between Laban and Jacob and it goes as follows:
Laban: Tell me what your wages are and I will give it to you.
Jacob: You know how I have served you, and how I have taken care of your cattle. The little you had, before I came, has become a multitude, because the Lord has blessed you, since my coming. Now, when can I provide for my own house also?
What is interesting to note is that Jacob could have calculated, what his wages should be and responded to Laban with a sense of entitlement, but instead he responds by recognizing first that he was there to serve and had taken care of Laban’s flock. Secondly, he recognized that Laban’s increase from little to a multitude was not because of his work, but because of the Lord, who had blessed them. Finally, Jacob thinks about providing for his own family also.
Points to ponder:
Often we feel entitled to reap the results of our labor, be it in the secular or spiritual field. Yet, from this account we can learn that we must first recognize that we are temporarily placed in God’s world to serve him and serve others, just like Jacob did. Jesus himself taught that we must become a servant (Matthew 10:43-45) and take care of God’s flock (John 21:15-17) that he has entrusted in our care. We must also recognize that it is not our work but the presence of the Lord with us, by which others around us can be blessed. And in our pursuit of serving the Lord and his people (flock), we must not neglect our own family. So the question that must be answered is: “Are you a blessing to others? and to your family? Are you / Am I?
Genesis 30:28-30 (KJV)
28 And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.
29 And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.
30 For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the Lord hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?
