A plowman in the fields has to keep his eyes forward, hands steady, and focus sharp. The moment he looks back, the line gets crooked, the ground suffers, and the harvest is compromised. Jesus uses this imagery not just for farming but for how we approach life, faith, and yes—our work.

1. Work with Focus — Ecclesiastes 9:10

divided focus leads to weak results. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

When you’re on the job, when you’re building your family, when you’re serving in ministry—you’ve got to set your hand to the plow and give it everything you’ve got. The enemy of progress is distraction. You can’t plow straight rows looking over your shoulder. You can’t build a strong life constantly second-guessing or comparing yourself to others. Focus is the mark of a person who works with excellence.

2. Work with Commitment (Proverbs 14:23)

It’s easy to talk about what we want to accomplish. It’s another thing to put our hands to the plow and keep pushing even when the ground is hard. Commitment means showing up when it’s tough, finishing what you start, and refusing to quit when the field looks too big.

Some people never see their harvest because they abandon the plow halfway through the field. But Jesus is saying, If you want to be fit for the kingdom, stay faithful. Don’t quit. Don’t look back.

3. Work with God’s Strength (Philippians 4:13)

When we set our hand to the plow in life, God is the one who gives us the endurance, the wisdom, and the strength to keep going. Work ethic in the Kingdom is not just about grinding—it’s about aligning. Aligning your efforts with God’s will, depending on His power, and trusting Him with the harvest.

So what does this mean for us today? It means if you’ve got a job to do, do it with excellence. If you’ve got a dream in your heart, pursue it with focus. If you’ve got responsibilities in your family, carry them with commitment.

Don’t waste time looking back at what could have been. Don’t live in regret. Don’t measure yourself against others. Keep your eyes on Jesus, keep your hands steady on the plow, and trust that the straight rows you’re plowing today will bring a harvest tomorrow.

Get to Work and Make Today Count